Whiteville Fire Department struggles with staff shortages and lack of volunteers
Volunteer shortage impacts fire department By Zach Solon | February 25, 2021 at 3:27 PM EST - Updated February 25 at 7:40 PM
WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) - The Whiteville Fire Department continues to battle a staffing shortage. In their January 2021 report to city council, the department said they are averaging just 6.6 personnel per structural incident; the National Fire Protection Association requirement is 14 firefighters.
The department consists of some full-time personnel and other paid, on-call volunteers. Whiteville Fire Chief David Yergeau says the lack of staff is not as much of an issue for initial response to incidents as it is to handle every task necessary when dealing with a structure fire.
Abandoned shopping center catches fire in downtown Whiteville
Abandoned shopping center fire under investigation By WECT Staff | February 5, 2021 at 3:58 PM EST - Updated February 5 at 7:37 PM
WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) - Emergency crews from across the region responded to a fire at an abandoned shopping center in downtown Whiteville Friday afternoon.
Hal Lowder, the city’s director of emergency services, said a neighboring business alerted 911 about heavy smoke coming from the Lewis Smith Shopping Center off South Madison Street at around 1:10 p.m.
Multiple units from Columbus, Brunswick, and Robeson counties responded to the old shopping center and managed to confine the damage to one of the six vacant businesses. The shopping center previously suffered heavy damage during Hurricane Florence.