Pender County EMS has given Union Rescue Squad a 90-day notice of termination.

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Union Rescue Squad has been given a 90-day notice that Pender EMS and Fire are terminating their current contract, according to Chief James Everett Baisden.

In a statement to WECT on Monday, Chief Baisden said, “Over the past twenty years, Pender EMS and Fire have gone above and beyond to assist and support Union Rescue Squad operations in Pender County.”

According to the statement, on Sept. 12, 2024, the Pender Ambulance and Fire Department Board of Directors sent Union Rescue Squad a new contract to ensure Union Rescue Squad’s continued role in the Pender County EMS system plan.

The statement went on to say:

“This contract has addressed and corrected many of the issues that both parties identified during negotiations last year. This includes:

A salary increase in Union Rescue Squad’s annual funding, which will retain its ability to bill for transportation.
Relocating Pender EMS and Fire Department personnel to a separate location in the Union area where a paramedic ambulance will be available 24 hours a day. Union Rescue will remain in its current building and continue to answer calls in its community with the help of its volunteers. This move of Pender EMS and Fire will allow both agencies to respond together, but will return Union Rescue Squad to their singular identity, something they have continually asked for. It would also add additional ambulance service to the system plan, something that does not exist today.
The Union Rescue Squad is expected to respond to at least 60% of the calls sent out in its district. Pender EMS and Fire will continue to respond to 100% of all dispatched calls with paid personnel. This ensures that there is no loss of coverage for the citizens of that county.
As part of our continued participation in the Pender County System Plan, the Union Rescue Squad will continue to have the opportunity and opportunity to train with Pender EMS and Fire Department personnel, as well as utilize our training capabilities.”

90 days notice of termination

Baisden said Union Rescue Squad leadership was given 30 days to learn about the new contract. In response, the Union Rescue Squad asked questions through a lawyer.

Without a new contract, Pender EMS and Fire then sent 90 days’ notice to terminate their current contract with Union Rescue Squad, effectively ending operations.

“It is not our intention to close Union Rescue Squad.”

However, Baisden said this does not necessarily mean the end of the Union Rescue Squad.

“As clearly stated in Pender EMS and Fire’s response to Union Rescue Squad’s legal counsel, Union Rescue Squad may still accept the new contract and sign it during this 90-day period as we want it to remain part of the system plan. It is not our intention to shut down Union Rescue Squad, despite the false information being circulated,” Baisden explained.

Union Rescue Squad reacts on social media

In a Facebook post dated October 26, 2024, Union Rescue Squad released a statement saying, “Yes, it is true that Pender EMS and Fire have decided to terminate their contract with Union Rescue Squad. The contract allows for termination with 90 days’ notice. At this time, January 22, 2025 will be Union Rescue Squad’s last day of operation.”

The message went on to thank the community for their continued support.

The Union Rescue Squad asked those who want to help to contact the manager and Pender County commissioners and “encourage them to step up on behalf of the Union.”

The message continued: “It has truly been an honor to serve you all for the last 43 years. We will be holding a community meeting in the near future to provide more clarification. Keep an eye on our page for the date.

“We would like to remind people that this is a legal issue and we are not seeking to discriminate, divide or create any confusion. We’re just stating the facts and continue to appreciate all the support and love.”

Four decades of care

Union Rescue Squad was formed by a group of firefighters from the Penderley community after residents in the Willard and Watha areas of Pender County decided the only way to get medical help quickly was to form their own rescue squad.

After completing training at Cape Fear Community College, the team received state certification in October 1981.

In 2002, the team was involved in a lengthy legal battle. The North Carolina General Assembly passed a new state law that required all counties to have one central rescue squad. As a result, on June 30, 2003, the Allied Rescue Squad was forced to close its doors.

Finally, an agreement was reached with Pender County Ambulance Services to contract for paramedic services. In June 2005, the Union Rescue Squad resumed operations in northern Pender County. The station is staffed by paid staff during the daytime, but most services to the public are still provided by volunteers.