Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
As we all now know, under the DOI's new rules, large sections of the county are now in <br /> category 10 -"not covered". Our rural fire departments appear to be working to make the <br /> improvements needed to get everyone covered. <br /> What we are asking from the county and your board is to help our fire departments plan for the <br /> future. <br /> This one's easy and doesn't cost much. Please ask the planning department to review the <br /> county's new Unified Development Ordinance and propose language to assure that every new <br /> development is reviewed and formally signed off by the fire department who will be responsible <br /> for protecting it. Hopefully the review from the fire departments can be performed in parallel <br /> to other reviews and not bog down the permitting process. <br /> As part of the review ask the fire department to provide comment on whether new facilities or <br /> equipment will be needed to cover the development. You can ask developers to fund all or <br /> part of the costs as part of your"conditional approval". <br /> We believe that you fully understand this issue and hopefully agree with our suggestion. <br /> Please take this action so that the UDO changes can be proposed during the next quarterly <br /> public hearing. <br /> Thank you." <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the Planning Director is here tonight and there may be <br /> some inexact information out there. He asked Craig Benedict to address these questions. <br /> Planning Director Craig Benedict said that there is a process with all developments and <br /> they consult development committees, which are made up of and include the Emergency <br /> Services Director and the Fire Marshal. He said that they can create additional communication <br /> with the volunteer fire departments if needed but they do get sign offs from emergency <br /> personnel as part of the development process. <br /> Marilee Metique read a prepared statement: <br /> "My name is Marilee McTigue and I'm a long-time resident of rural Orange County. <br /> Last week's work session was a wakeup call for many of us about the state of emergency <br /> services in Orange County. We hope you agree that there are two important, but separate, <br /> parts of this function: <br /> • First, the county's Emergency Services Department <br /> • Secondly, the eight rural fire departments and others that service the unincorporated <br /> parts of the community under contract with the county. <br />