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White point fire commander5/18/2023 ![]() White III said in a July 26 press release. “Deputy Chief Freeman has been employed at the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department for more than 30 years," Town Manager Richard J. "But this group of firefighters that I've been working with almost three years, they take for the right reasons, and that's to help."įreeman, Schmidt's interim replacement, will take the helm with plenty of experience under his belt. "Some people just take the job for benefits, some take it for the money," Schmidt said. He said he appreciates the passion Carrboro's firefighters have for helping other people and stepping up to the challenge the pandemic created. "Coming into a new organization trying to learn new firefighters and new community members, and then to be thrust into the pandemic and into the shutdown and the isolation or quarantine, it was an absolute challenge," Schmidt said. Since he had only been at the department for a few months when the pandemic began, Schmidt said the onset of the pandemic was a challenge for him. "It's like building a plane while you're flying," he said. ![]() Schmidt said managing Carrboro's emergency response during the pandemic required quick adjustments and adaptations to what the community needed. He said the fire department was a hub for mask and food distribution to the community for much of the pandemic. Sometimes, Schmidt said, firefighters would hand out masks to community members when on calls. Schmidt said he managed Carrboro's emergency food distribution site during the pandemic, along with distributing masks and other protective equipment. The department also supplies COVID-19 resources to the community. Not only does the department respond to calls it provides educational resources and fire risk reduction services. The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department has 37 full-time employees, and it covers both the Town of Carrboro and the Southern Orange Fire District - an area with a population of more than 25,000. “In his short time with the Town, Chief Smith has really upped the professional game for the entire department and has been well-liked by staff," Seils said. Chief Schmidt has been kind of that staff-level professional expert that we needed to have on the ground during the pandemic response.”ĭespite being with them for less than three years, he said Schmidt has had a big impact on the department. "He's been responsible as the Town's main point of contact with our county-wide emergency response. ![]() “His entire tenure with the Town has been defined by that experience and as fire chief," Seils said. Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils said he helped the department adapt to new restrictions and situations. He joined the department in January 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Schmidt is resigning to move back to his home state of Illinois to be closer to family. 31, with Carrboro Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Carl Freeman serving as interim chief while the department searches for a permanent replacement. "If you're going to do this job, you have to have good family support."Ĭarrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.Carrboro Fire Chief David Schmidt will step down on Aug. The tones went off two hours into the couple's very first date and DeLor said he had a choice. He said Pam has been more than tolerant of a career that has left her stranded at dinners, family gatherings, grocery stores and movie theaters among other locales over the years. ![]() "That should account for a lot of my time," DeLor said. The couple have a bucket list – or more of a 55-gallon drum list, he said – of travel destinations they would like to visit together and he has his first grandchild he plans to dote on. Now that his time is winding down he is looking forward to spending time with his wife of 38 years, Pam. The department also has a dive team that is used throughout the area. The task force is used to find individuals in situations such as building or trench collapses, when a car crashes into a building, a train derailments or other emergencies with a search and rescue component. Firefighters from around the region also belong. The task force is manned by 25 of Crown Point's firefighters and equipped by the department. Shortly after becoming chief, DeLor created the area's first technical response task force in 2002.
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