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Chief warns town’s fire, police facilities are unusable and staffing is at risk
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Summary
Town public-safety leadership told the council that the main public-safety station was deemed unlivable after an engineering review, firefighters are temporarily displaced and EMS coverage is operating from Swannanoa; staff urged immediate interim facilities, said FEMA review is pending and warned the staffing shortfall threatens response capability.
The Town of Black Mountain’s public-safety chief told council members April 13 that the town’s primary emergency-services station has been deemed unlivable and firefighters have been displaced, creating immediate operational and safety concerns.
“Our main station has been deemed unlivable and our firefighters have been displaced,” said Chief Red (speaker 12), reporting that personnel are currently housed in a nearby parsonage and that EMS coverage has been placed in Swannanoa, which he said has increased response times. He told the council that evidence and ammunition storage pose special security needs that complicate temporary housing and that an engineer’s report has been resubmitted to FEMA for review.
The chief described steps the department has taken to maintain basic operations, including keeping apparatus in secured bays and arranging temporary workspace at Ridgecrest and a leased site at Givens Highland Farms starting April 20. He said the leased space is available at a nominal rate but only until October and emphasized that modular units and secure connex storage may be necessary short-term measures while the town awaits FEMA’s determination.
Council members pressed staff on potential costs and timing for modular “triple‑wide” units, alternatives such as leased units with buyback options, and whether FEMA would reimburse temporary housing. Chief Red said RFPs had been issued, the engineer’s report was resubmitted to FEMA, and the town is awaiting FEMA’s response before committing to long-term purchases. He estimated transport and installation costs for temporary units could be tens of thousands of dollars and said FEMA’s determination could affect whether the town pays or seeks reimbursement.
The chief also warned of a concurrent staffing crisis: the department has seven vacant positions and several recent resignations. “Morale has been significantly affected,” he said, adding that personnel report feeling underpaid and undervalued. Council members and residents who spoke during public comment echoed the urgency, noting incidents in recent weeks where displaced staffing and the lack of direct phone lines complicated emergency communications.
Why it matters: Council members repeatedly described public-safety facilities and staffing as the highest priority for the town, noting that delays in providing safe, secure workspaces and competitive compensation risk losing experienced first responders and degrading emergency response times. Staff recommended continued pursuit of FEMA reimbursement, temporary leased space, and evaluating modular unit options while completing due diligence on security and cost.
The council directed staff to return quickly with recommendations and, if necessary, to call a special meeting once FEMA guidance is available.
