WEDDINGTON, N.C. — The Providence Volunteer Fire Department is not backing down after the Weddington Town Council voted to switch its fire service contract to Wesley Chapel in February, saying it will save $200,000.
"There's a lot of questions about the plan," said Chief Kenny Schott.
The fire department has filed a lawsuit asking for the town to either reinstate the service agreement or pay a $750,000 penalty for canceling the agreement without cause.
Read our past coverage:
- Weddington ends contract with town's only fire department
- Providence fire department sues town of Weddington
- Meeting planned to discuss future of Weddington's only fire department
- Citizens shocked at decision to close town's only fire department
- Weddington votes to change fire service
Chief Schott says the reason for the lawsuit comes down to safety. "It is unfortunate it's come to this point," Schott told Channel 9.
Many people in the community are fighting too -- passing around fliers, signing petitions and voicing their opinion. Charlotte Woodley said EMTs with the department saved her life last year when she had a heart attack.
"I'm back on the road to recovery, but the loss of this fire department is the most devastating thing this community could experience," Woodley said.
The mayor of Weddington referred Channel 9 to the town's attorney. He told us there is not much to say on camera because of the pending lawsuit, except that the town will defend it vigorously.
Neighbors think the decision on whether to switch fire service for 10,000 people in their community should be up to them.
"We need to put this to a community vote. The public, our community needs to say whether this fire station stays or goes," Woodley said. "We're paying the taxes."
WSOC
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