The locks at the Red Springs Fire Department have been changed following the removal of the longtime fire chief.

While Fire Chief John Ammons has been relieved of duty, he has not been terminated, Red Springs Town Manager Shanelle Harris told WPDE.

Changing the locks is not normally done when a leader is relieved of duty. It was Harris' call.

"Because of the profile of the particular position, there is an immediate need to be able to protect access to the building, access to our data. So that's why those precautions were taken," she said.

A probationary employee was terminated Monday but she said it was unrelated to the situation involving Ammons.

Capt. Chris Conway has been named interim fire chief.

During the regular monthly meeting Tuesay night, he discussed various issues, including the leadership change, with firefighters.

Both Harris and Sumpter said they hadn't heard about volunteers or career personnel walking out after Ammons was removed from leading the department.

Conway met with firefighters Tuesday night during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting to discuss the leadership transition and operations.

Sumpter said Conway has received support from neighboring fire departments and other emergency service agencies throughout Robeson County.

Although the locks have been changed, Mayor Caroline Sumpter told the media: "Just wanting to assure the residents that our fire department remains operational and continues to provide fire protection and emergency response services to our community."

"We understand the public safety departments, the transition, the change, the unknown, you know, creates questions, raises concerns, increases the temperature within our community."

Some residents are concerned about the latest leader to leave their position. In June, the police chief resigned citing Harris' interference.