Providence VFD Ends Operations, Continues Legal Fight

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WEDDINGTON, NC – On Tuesday at midnight, nearly 50 local firefighters will be forced out of their jobs.

“Now it’s become a reality. We’re going to be out of jobs,” said Chief Kenny Schott with the Providence Volunteer Fire Department.

On Tuesday afternoon, dozens of residents stopped by the fire station on Hemby Road to say “thank you” and “goodbye” to the firefighters. Firefighters at the Providence Volunteer Fire Department hoped the station could stay open while the legal fight against the Town of Weddington continues, but on Friday, a Union County judge ruled against that.

“It just ripped my heart out when I heard that decision,” said Schott.

The vice president of Providence Volunteer Fire Department’s Board of Directors says the fight is not over.

“We are suspending operations while we continue through the legal process, which our attorneys are engaged in to hopefully come back to full operation,” said Robinson.

Last month, the board sued the town after the council voted to end its fire service agreement with Providence VFD, two years into a 10 year contract. Dozens of residents publicly spoke out at town meetings and more than a thousand signed a petition for the town to reverse its decision.

In May, the Weddington mayor told WCCB Charlotte the department was in a deficit and switching service to Wesley Chapel Fire Department would save more than $200,000 dollars.

The Providence VFD Board of Directors says it is financially sound, and people are losing their jobs because of politics.

Schott says the fight is not over and the department is ceasing operations, but not closing the department.