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Fire chiefs report 2024 response highlights and warn replacement ladder truck will take years to procure
Summary
Waynesville’s fire leadership briefed council on 2024 operations, rescues during Hurricane Hermine and warned the town must plan years ahead to replace a 31-year-old ladder truck.
Assistant Fire Chief Chris Mahaffey and outgoing Fire Chief Webb updated the Town of Waynesville Town Council on the fire department’s 2024 activity, emergency response during last year’s flood event, and vehicle and staffing needs.
Mahaffey credited preplanning and a new rescue boat with dozens of rescues during Hurricane Hermine and said the department’s call-volume pattern shifted after the storm. “Miraculously, we got [the boat] into service three days before the flood,” Mahaffey said, adding that cooperation across town departments prevented any citizen deaths.
Chief Webb, who told the council this would be his last presentation after 18 years of service, urged continued investment in personnel and apparatus. “One area of concern … is replacing our ladder truck,” Webb said. He said the town’s ladder truck turns 31 this year and that a replacement now takes about three years to receive. On estimated costs he said, “Right now, about 2.1, I think, was the last number we got around. … The engine will be right around a million.”
Council members and staff acknowledged competition with neighboring jurisdictions for personnel and the long lead times for specialty apparatus. Webb said the cost and delivery time mean the council should plan and budget well in advance if it wants to avoid gaps in service or impacts to the municipal insurance rating.
