A call to help protect your community. 

October is Fire Prevention Month, and Commissioner Chris Gurley put out the call for volunteer firefighters at last week’s Wayne County Board meeting. 

Gurley says Wayne County citizens – male and female, young and old – should consider serving their community as volunteer firefighters.

Commissioner Gurley says there are volunteer firefighters in Wayne County from all walks of life, including nurses, attorneys, landscapers, doctors, plumbers, and more.

Many major business and industries in Wayne County will even allow their volunteer firefighters to respond to calls in other districts.

The state requires 36 hours a year of training for volunteer firefighters, and most volunteer fire departments meet one night a week.

Gurley says Wayne County has the most members in the Eastern Carolina Firefighters Association, but he does not want those numbers to drop which could lead to closing fire stations.