Landis Fire Department Temporarily Shuts Down Due To COVID-19 Outbreak

LANDIS, N.C. — The Landis Fire Department has decided to temporarily suspend operations after several members of the department contracted COVID-19.

Officials say over the past few days the Town of Landis’ Fire Department was especially hit hard by the virus, with several employees testing positive for COVID-19 and many others being exposed to members who have it.

After learning of the exposure, fire officials quickly completed contact tracing and found potential exposures between the fire and police department.

Due to the results of the contact tracing and the number of employees experiencing illness, the Landis Fire Department will close temporarily to allow its employees to recover and quarantine at home in order to prevent any additional spread.

“We want to be sure that we are not unknowingly exposing the public when we go in and out of their homes or businesses to COVID-19. This is why we have decided it is in the best interest of our employees and our citizens to temporarily suspend services by the Landis Fire Department while our members recover and quarantine,” says Public Safety Director Zachary Lechette.

Starting August 18th at 7 p.m., the Landis Fire Department will transfer its calls for service to its neighboring departments in China Grove and Kannapolis.

“I am very thankful for the willingness and support received from Chief Zimmerman (China Grove) and Chief Winecoff (Kannapolis) to assist us during this time so that we can focus on our employees recovering and getting back to work as soon and as safely as possible,” Lechette says.

Officials say normal operations are expected to resume at the Fire Department on Friday, August 27th.

Town Manager Diane Seaford says, “The safety of our employees and citizens is of upmost importance and we believe this approach is the best response to the challenges faced by the Fire Department given the current situation.”