Brunswick County fire chiefs present collaborative recommendation for new funding mechanism

Charles Drew, president of the Brunswick County Fire Chiefs Association, told the Board of Commissioners the association has been meeting with county officials and municipal leaders to develop a sustainable funding mechanism for local fire services.

“Many departments are currently understaffed, equipment is aging, and the financial burdens have increased,” Drew said, summarizing the association’s finding that the current funding approach “is not sustainable and adequate to support fire services in Brunswick County.” He said a majority of chiefs met at the Winnebago Fire Department on 07/30/2025 and voted unanimously on a recommendation for a new funding mechanism.

Drew stressed the association sought collaboration, not confrontation, and directly disputed media reports that chiefs had issued “nonnegotiable demands.” “At no time has the Brunswick County Fire Chiefs Association made any demands to the county or discussed any nonnegotiables,” he said, adding the chiefs “come to you with an olive branch, not boxing gloves.”

Drew said he and Chief McGee of the Calabash Fire Department will meet with Brunswick County mayors on 08/15/2025 to present the recommendation, gather feedback and report back to the chiefs’ regular meeting on 08/21/2025. He said the association expects changes to follow stakeholder vetting and that any contract language tied to a new mechanism will be negotiated.

Why it matters: Commissioners are weighing how to fund fire protection as development increases demand for emergency services; Drew’s presentation frames the chiefs’ position as a recommendation that calls for county–municipal collaboration and further vetting before any formal proposal reaches the board.

Next steps: Drew asked that the board accept the association’s offer to present the recommendation to commissioners or meet with county leadership to review the proposal and answer questions.