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N.C. officials may eliminate firefighter manpower unit

Squad 410 firefighters said they were shocked by the proposed elimination of the Cabarrus County support unit, which officials say is no longer needed as more departments add paid staff

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners is discussing whether to eliminate Squad 410, a firefighter manpower unit that supports municipal and volunteer fire departments across the county.

Cabarrus County Communications Director Jonathan Weaver said the proposed termination is intended to improve operational efficiency and reduce duplication within the county’s emergency response, Queen City News reported.

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Squad 410 includes 12 full-time and at least four part-time firefighters and was created in 2017 to provide extra staffing at emergency scenes. Weaver said the proposed elimination is not tied to budget or performance, but to more departments adding their own paid staff.

Squad 410 firefighters told QC News they were shocked by the planned cuts. If commissioners approve the elimination, their final day will be Oct. 29, with the county offering employment assistance.

The proposal to terminate Squad 410 was on the agenda for the June 1 commissioner meeting, but the meeting ended without a vote, WCNC reported. The commissioners said they would review the materials and reconvene at a later date.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.