WEDDINGTON, N.C. — The Providence Volunteer Fire Department has been in Union County for 61 years. The fire department is older than the town of Weddington.
The firefighters packed their bags on Tuesday, their last day of service, and moved their equipment out of the station on Hemby Road.
“It's surreal,” volunteer firefighter Travis Manning said. “It doesn't make any sense to me. The town voted us out.”
Eyewitness News first reported in April that Weddington leaders decided to end their contract with Providence VFD, their only fire station. They said it was in order to save $200,000 in the town’s budget.
The Providence VFD chief said he doesn’t believe that’s true.
“I’ve not seen any evidence on them saving money,” he said. “I've asked for documentation. We have not received any documentation or proof of where they are saving money at.”
Channel 9 reached out to the Weddington town attorney on Tuesday, but the town offices were closed and no one returned our calls.
Kenny Schott said he’s still hopeful that volunteer firefighters will be able to return to service soon.
The Providence VFD still exists as an organization but no longer has a station.
They have filed a lawsuit against the town, and a judge approved a temporary restraining order to prevent the town from selling the fire station.
Even though the building has been taken away, Providence firefighters said they have something that no one can take.
“You can’t take away the brotherhood,” Manning said. “These are some of my closest friends.”
Schott said they will hold onto the fire trucks until the lawsuit is resolved.
The Wesley Chapel Fire Department will take over Providence VFD’s district. Residents in Weddington have expressed concern about the response times and coverage under a different fire department.
Channel 9 reached out to the Wesley Chapel fire chief for a comment and will bring you that information when it is available.
Bill Deter, the mayor of Weddington, released the following statement to Channel 9:
"Each year the town sets aside $100,000 for the purchase of a fire truck for PVFD since they are unable to get financing for one. This will not be necessary with the town's new fire contract.
Last year's contracts with the town's three VFDs totaled approximately $752,000. That would have to increase to approximately $823,000 this year to support PVFD's projected deficit. Our new contract with WCVFD is approximately $699,000 per year.
$699,000 minus $923,000 equals $224,000 annualized savings."
When asked if the response times will change under the new fire department Deter said, "They should be the same, fire trucks and fireman will be the Hemby road station 24/7/365. The same as it is today."