Wilkes County ratifies temporary rescue addenda with eight volunteer fire departments

County Attorney Tony Triplett presented individualized Rescue Addenda based on a standard template to formalize rescue services provided by eight volunteer fire departments after the county’s prior Rescue Squad ceased service. The addenda run through June 30, 2026 and specify payment of $1,000 per out-of-district rescue call; Triplett said the start date for the additional compensation is May 6, 2025.

Commissioners approved separate motions for each department: Austin Volunteer Fire Department; Broadway Fire Department; Champion Volunteer Fire Department; McGrady Volunteer Fire and Rescue; Millers Creek Volunteer Fire Department; Mulberry-Fairplains Fire & Rescue; Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department; and Ronda Community Volunteer Fire Department. Commissioner Bill Sexton, who participated in negotiations with fire department leaders, thanked the departments and county staff for their work. Triplett said these contracts are temporary and that the county will engage the departments in coming months to negotiate a more permanent arrangement for future fiscal years.

The Board recorded unanimous approval for each addendum. Commissioners noted that the fire departments have been providing rescue services since the Rescue Squad left and that out-of-district calls totaled 66 at the time of the meeting.