MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. --
Firefighters say just one man stationed at a local fire department, isn't enough and lives are on the line. They're asking city leaders in Mount Holly to add more firefighters even if it means raising taxes.
Monday it was the firemen sounding the alarm for help. They are hoping that people like Jerry Meggs comes to their aid.
"The boys do a really good job and all and they need all the help they can," he said.
He is in favor of a Homeland Security grant that would add 6 more firemen to the Catawba Heights Department.
Thursday the Mt. Holly city council voted to reject the grant. Over the five years the city would have to gradually pay more and for the salaries up to nearly $400,000.
Capt. Terry Revis said there is currently only one man at a department on Mt. Holly Road. Under state guidelines one fireman can't go into a burning building without another fireman outside. He'd have to wait for help from the station across town.
"That could add a minimum of four minutes to the response time," Revis said.
Mt. Holly firemen want citizens to tell the council that adding four cents for every $100 in property tax to pay for more men is worth it.
Mayor Robert Whitt said he thinks residents would be upset about it.
"We'd be running folks out of town," he said.
He said the council didn't even know that the fire department applied for the grant. He's said it's the wrong move in this economy.
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