New Partnership for Emergency Services
Wake County and the City of Raleigh have an opportunity to partner on a plan to provide new, improved emergency fire services to residents of the Wake New Hope Fire Station 1 District. This partnership will result in improved services with no extra cost to residents.
May 9 Informational Meeting: View Presentation
Thank you to everyone who attended the May 9 information meeting at New Hope Baptist Church.
View the Presentation
Past and Present
The Wake New Hope Fire Department was established in 1956. Wake New Hope Fire Station 1 opened and began service at 4415 St. James Church Road in 1958.
The Wake New Hope Fire Station 1 service area has changed dramatically, with most of this area being annexed by the City of Raleigh, leaving small pockets of unincorporated areas of land and homes. Less than 5 square miles remain for New Hope Fire Station 1 to cover.
View a map of the New Hope Fire District coverage area (shaded in lavender).
Proposed Partnership
Wake County, the City of Raleigh and the Wake New Hope Fire Department have worked together to come up with a new way to serve residents currently covered by Station 1.
Under this plan, areas that are more than five miles from Wake New Hope Fire Station 2 will receive a City of Raleigh Fire Department response. New Hope Fire Station 1 would close, and service would transfer on July 1, 2022.
Wake County, the City of Raleigh, the Wake New Hope Fire Department and the Wake New Hope Board of Directors all believe the partnership will benefit residents in this area.
Current Wake New Hope Fire Department personnel will be moved to Station 2, strengthening Wake County’s overall response plan for eastern Wake County.
Faster Response, No Tax Increase
Five Raleigh Fire Department stations are located within five miles of this coverage area, meaning more units will be available to respond to an emergency more quickly.
Example: 5808 Dean Drive is an address in the unincorporated area of Wake County covered by Wake New Hope Fire Station 1. Based on GIS travel time modeling, Raleigh E19 could be there within 1 minute and 18 seconds. It would take Wake New Hope E1 nearly 4 minutes.
There will be no additional cost to residents. Residents will continue to pay the Wake New Hope Fire District tax and will not become City of Raleigh taxpayers.
FAQ
Does this mean I pay City of Raleigh taxes?
No, you will continue to pay county taxes that include the Fire District Tax.
Will Raleigh Fire Department charge direct fees to residents?
No, this service comes at no additional charge.
Does this mean my property will be annexed by the City of Raleigh?
For properties to be annexed, residents must petition the city for annexation. There is no forced annexation
Will my fire insurance premiums be affected?
No, you will remain in the Wake New Hope Fire Insurance District, just with a City of Raleigh Fire Department response except for structure fires. On structure fire related calls, you will get a City of Raleigh Fire response along with a New Hope Fire Engine and county department tankers for shuttling water if needed based on fire hydrant locations.
Contact
If you have questions about the proposal, please email Wake County Fire Services Director Darrell Alford at darrell.alford@wake.gov.