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Dozens of Surry County residents urge commissioners to keep Bannertown and Franklin volunteer fire departments open
Summary
Dozens of residents addressed the Surry County Board on Jan. 5, 2026, urging commissioners not to close the Bannertown and Franklin Volunteer Fire Departments and asking for alternatives and clarifying details about station management if closures proceed.
Dozens of residents told the Surry County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 that closing the Bannertown and Franklin volunteer fire departments would endanger their communities.
At an open public forum Chairman Bill Goins invited members of the audience to address the Board. Speakers including Danny Stanley, Kimberly Hicks Jessup, Joey Love and many others spoke in opposition to any potential closures and asked the Board to preserve local volunteer fire services. Several speakers raised concerns about response times, community safety and the loss of locally based volunteers. Larry Johnson specifically asked how vacant stations would be managed if changes occur.
The comments came in a sustained public-comment period that the Board closed after hearing from the last registered speaker. After a short recess, Chairman Goins said the Board would take the public comments into consideration. County Attorney Howard Jones told the Board the county has authority not only to enforce previously adopted resolutions but also to reverse earlier resolutions, indicating the Board has legal options as it considers changes to fire-service districts.
No formal motion to close or to restructure the Bannertown or Franklin stations was made during the meeting; the public forum was an opportunity for residents to record opposition and ask the Board for alternatives and clarifications. The Board did not announce a final decision on the status of the stations at the meeting.
