BURGAW, N.C. (WECT) – As Pender County continues working on bringing Pender EMS & Fire under its control, first responders continue to walk away from serving the county.
Roughly 40 Pender EMS & Fire employees have left since March, according to Assistant Chief Mark Haraway, and at least four more are trying to leave. Concerns over pay, leadership and the merger with Pender County have fueled the turnover, officials said, and have recently led to closed fire stations because of a lack of personnel.
To help with retention, Pender EMS & Fire introduced an incentives package to county commissioners Monday night, asking for $899,102 in boosts to pay, signing bonuses, benefits and training…