Moriah Volunteer Fire and Rescue Dept. asks for service district to keep up with demand
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Moriah Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (MVFR) has served a part of Durham County for decades.
"We run 44 years into the edge of Durham County to cover area that's not covered by any other fire district," Hal Oakley said.
Oakley is the board president of the Moriah Volunteer Fire and Rescue. He said they've been serving the specific area in the Mangum insurance district in northeast Durham County without county funding. But if a service district is created, that could change.
Creating the Mangum Fire Protection Service District would not immediately cost residents, but it could eventually lead to a new tax rate.
Some residents said they're worried about any new taxes, including Timothy Thacker, who said he gets service from Bahama in the area the proposed service district would be.
"Bahama served us for years, and we have no complaints at all," Thacker said. "No more taxes in Durham County."
In 2024, MVFR responded to nearly 3,700 calls for service.
For Chris Ragan, who has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 20 years, calls have climbed sharply during the years.
"I think when I started back in 2001, 2002, we were maybe in the 100 to 150 range," Ragan said. "Last year, we were 371, I believe, was the call volume."
Durham County Commissioners will meet Monday night for a regular session that includes a public hearing on the proposed service district. After the hearing, the board will vote on the proposal, and if approved, the fire district will be added to the county tax records.
"It's just hard to operate without funding and to give the people what they really need," Oakley said. "(Funding) would help us put fuel in the trucks and operate, and also mean the people there would get continued service."
