Andrews – The town’s fire department is in dire need of volunteers.
Established in 1906, the Andrews Volunteer Fire Department is funded through the town’s budget and has 35 unpaid members on its roster. Fire officials asked lawmakers during last week’s public meeting to spread the word and help find new members.
“It’s hard to keep volunteers,” former fire chief Ray Frazier said at the Sept. 10 Andrews Board of Aldermen meeting.
Frazier sought confirmation that there are no plans to disband the department and hire an outside fire company. He said he’s heard rumors that officials already extended an offer to an outside company to handle fire calls in the town limits, which were dispelled.
“There’s no contract to rescind,” Mayor James Reid said. “This board does not want to disband our fire department. I want to see changes.”
Reid said he was displeased with what he perceived to be a low response rate to dispatches and the sense that fire department members had “no urgency whatsoever” in handling business.
Frazier assured lawmakers the department “is an honorable unit” that would “never intentionally let this town down.” While he and the mayor sparred over response times, they agreed that issues must be fixed for the department to fulfill its obligation to town residents. “You have my support 100 percent, as long as we’re moving forward and not sitting there with a flat tire,” Reid said. “I promise you.”
The fire department’s small $45,700 budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year helps pay for training, equipment, travel expenses, building and vehicle maintenance, repairs and utilities. Volunteer firefighters do not receive compensation. To join the crew of volunteers, call 321-4200 for details.
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