STANLEY, N.C. — More than 20 firefighters from the Stanley Fire Department walked off the job this week after the town terminated the part-time chief and assistant chief. Hours later, a new full-time chief was hired and already in uniform.
On Monday, Stanley town leaders voted on a last-minute agenda item. Michael Russell, a now-former part-time firefighter told WCNC Charlotte that he had to react.
"The standing chief and assistant chief, who is also the North Carolina Firefighter of the Year, were eliminated from their positions," Russell said.
Firefighters have dropped off their gear over the last two days. Russell said the reason behind the mass resignation is solidarity.
"These two gentleman were not given the opportunity to apply, not considered, just fired, no warning, no heads up," Russell said.
Stanley Mayor Steven Denton said in a statement that the reason for the change is all part of the town's reorganization of public safety operations. It provided funds to hire a full-time chief and a new public safety director.
Russell said the current firefighters on staff had to also reapply for their positions.
Within hours, he said the new full-time chief was in uniform and a job opening was never posted. WCNC Charlotte tried to ask the new chief about the application process, but he declined to comment. We also reached out to the Town and the Mayor, but neither got back to us.
Russell said with the more than 20 resignations, this leaves about nine people left on staff.
“The state office of fire marshals, and it doesn’t even meet their standards," Russel said.
The Mayor added in his statement that the department is expecting to receive 10 applications for employment, but Russell said that's hard to believe.
"In other departments, we have been trying to hire guys for two years, and we never fill all the spots," Russell said.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.