Amid rumors that their future was uncertain, a N.C. fire chief, his officers and firefighters resigned Monday night leaving a neighboring company responsible for responses.
Norwood Mayor Beverly Johnson also quit, according to The Stanly News & Press.
Assistant Norwood Chief Brian Hardman questioned the council if they were planning to disband the department, founded in 1945.
When they failed to answer him, he abruptly resigned. And, he was followed by Chief John Lambeth, the paper reported.
Two assistant chiefs, two captains, one lieutenant and 15 firefighters followed their chief's lead.
Johnson said she didn't like the way firefighters were being treated.
“This is the way they’re living up to their campaign promises. I do not like the way they have treated people. They don’t have feelings for people who look after you,” she told reporters.
Hardman said he and the others had no choice upon hearing about a plan to dissolve the department.
“Just because we run into fires doesn’t mean we’re stupid. The town board backed us into a corner. How can you work for someone who doesn’t support you?” he told the paper.
Within 10 minutes of their resignations, town officials called local emergency communications authorities. They requested Central Rural Fire Dept. be dispatched to Norwood because they no longer had a department.
