By overwhelming majority, the community of Fairview was against a possible merger between the Fairview and Pembroke volunteer fire departments in a community meeting Thursday evening.
The meeting began as an informational hearing about what a merger would mean for both the Pembroke and Fairview communities. Pembroke Fire Chief Nick Belair explained what it would mean for their ISO ratings, what would change or stay the same in both departments and how things would change with a fire department board.
Many community members and Fairview Board Member Cindy O’Brien said it wasn’t a unanimous board decision that also didn’t meet with the community first before approaching Pembroke with the merger.
Wayne Massey says they want to keep the two separate because they want a department that’s for the community, as it is owned by their community.
Several people thanked Pembroke for the information and the partnership the departments have had with each other, but that there would be no merger. In a community meeting afterwards, it was decided that there will be a second meeting held on June 21 at 7 p.m. to vote on dissolving the current board and creating a new one.
Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham says dissolving the current board will start the process for them, and from there they need to make new bylaws.
Captain Travis Martin will serve as interim Fire Chief until a new one is appointed, which would happen after a new board is elected. Supporters of the merger argued that it would be financially beneficial and would solve what they call administrative issues within the department.
Citizens were assured by Graham that they were adequately covered in the event of a fire or emergency, while things are being discussed and restructured.