The Town of Garner and Garner Fire-Rescue will hold two community meetings to hear resident input about the potential merger between the two agencies. These two sessions will be held:
Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. at Garner Town Hall, Second Floor Training Room, 900 7th Ave.
Thursday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. at Panther Branch Community Center, 10900 Ten Ten Road
The meetings are open to the public and will be facilitated by an independent, third-party group, NC Fire Chief Consulting, which works together with counties and municipalities across North Carolina on similar initiatives.
During each meeting session, there will be a brief informational component, followed by the consultants asking for public feedback from those in attendance. Summaries of the input received during these two sessions will be provided to Town elected officials and Garner Fire-Rescue Board of Director members.
In addition, there will be a public survey distributed throughout the community following the two public meeting sessions.
The Town of Garner and Garner Fire-Rescue have been discussing the possibility of consolidating operations for approximately the past five years. Garner Fire-Rescue currently operates as a private, non-profit corporation fire department that contracts with the Town of Garner and Wake County.
The Town of Garner now provides approximately 56.5 percent of the fire department’s overall funding for providing fire and rescue services within the Town. Wake County provides approximately 43.5 percent of the department’s funding for providing services in roughly 60 square miles of unincorporated area around the Town of Garner.
Garner Fire-Rescue is one of only 10 fire departments in North Carolina that is both nationally accredited and holds an insurance Class 1 rating. The rigorous accreditation process ensures residents that they are consistently receiving the level of service that they are paying for, and that the fire department meets all essential core competencies. The insurance (or ISO) rating directly reduces insurance premiums for homeowners and businesses. Class 1 is the highest rating earned in the United States.
Any person wishing to comment in writing, prior to the public meetings, may do so by forwarding comments to the Town of Garner communications team at 900 7th Ave., Garner, NC 27529, or by emailing them to garnerpio@garnernc.gov.
The Town of Garner strives to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to access its programs, services and activities. If you will require assistance to participate in either one of these sessions, we request that you contact the Town of Garner communications team at least five business days before the event.
FAQs about a possible merger.
How do we provide fire and rescue service now and how is it funded?
Fire and rescue service is provided by Garner Fire-Rescue Inc. The independent agency has contracts with the Town of Garner as well as Wake County to provide each jurisdiction emergency services within the Town limits and unincorporated area in Wake County. The agency was formed as a non-profit organization in 1952 and still operates in that capacity today.
What is a merger?
A merger happens when two or more organizations agree to go forward with a shared vision to create a single new organization rather than remain separately managed and operated. In some cases, there is a recognition that it is in the best interests of all parties to come together in a new, more effective and efficient version of the existing organizations.
Why consider a merger now?
The Town of Garner contracted with North Carolina Fire Chief Consulting (www.ncfirechief.com) in January 2021 to facilitate a process of review and determine the feasibility of creating a shared vision for the future for fire and rescue services in Garner and the unincorporated area in Wake County. The Town Council and Garner Fire-Rescue Board agreed to engage in a process that assisted both entities in planning and preparing for fire and rescue services as the Town and surrounding area continues to grow and develop.
How would a merger affect service?
Service delivery to the residents whom the Garner Fire-Rescue currently serve should not be affected. Daily operational responses should remain seamless through a merger.
What is the timeframe for completing a merger?
It would take approximately 12 months from when the final agreements and implementation strategy are approved.
Would this affect the Town’s current cost share with Wake County?
A merger should have no impact on the cost share agreement nor the methodology for determining the cost share with Wake County.