Agenda - 11-08-1995 - Item 2 (as discussed) - Letter to Moses Carey to Town of Hillsborough re Fire Protection Issues dated 9-8-1995

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Town P/9)F y)g-q5- of Hillsj h Since 175 September 8, 1995 Mr. Moses Carey, Chairman Orange County Board of Commissioners PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Re: Orange County Fire Protection Issues- Upcoming Town/County Joint Meeting November 8, 1995 Dear Moses, The Town of Hillsborough and Orange Rural Fire District have been providing fire protection to Orange County offices and schools since 1937. This service has been provided at no cost to the county, with an all volunteer department supported by the taxpayers of the Town of Hillsborough and the Orange Rural Fire district. Presently, the combined total valuation of Orange County offices and all Orange County schools within these juris- dictions are in excess of $54,000,000. We find ourselves in a critical situation with respect to available personnel to provide fire protection of these facili- ties during the day. We simply cannot rely entirely on an all volunteer department that are dwindling in numbers or are not available to respond to emergencies. We currently have three personnel we can rely on during the day. Obviously, this situa- tion represents a major public safety issue affecting the lives of many Orange County children, employees and citizens. The Town and Orange Rural District are currently involved in a process to discuss the problem. This joint committee in all likelihood will recommend the hiring of full-time personnel with funding coming from the two jurisdictions. Based upon the above issues, the committee identified Orange County as a major player in these discussions. We hope that we can agree at the November 8th meeting that the County does have a stake in these discussions. Members of the Orange Rural Board will also be- available at the meeting. 101 East Orange Street a P.O. Box 429 • Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 919-732-2104 • Fax. 919-644-2390