Wallace, NC, Fire Department Temporarily Disbanded, Reorganization Underway
The Wallace Fire Department was temporarily disbanded Monday by town officials who also dismissed the remaining volunteers.
After the fire chief 'retired' effective immediately last week, several volunteers walked away, WCTI reported.
During an emergency meeting, the remaining volunteers were dismissed by the town council. Current operating policies in the department also were abolished.
Teachey Volunteer Fire Department will be providing services now.
“Ongoing personnel issues had been going on for some time, affecting morale and hollowing out our volunteer corps. Volunteers are the heart and soul of all fire departments, especially here in Wallace. With the retirement of the previous chief and many looking to leave, council made the decision to step in and take a more proactive approach,” Town Manager Rob Taylor said.
Thn council also named Wayne Rich, a retired Wallace volunteer, to lead the department in the interim, while Archie Carter is the new assistant chief.
Taylor hopes the department will be back up and responding soon.
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Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.