Uwharrie Volunteer Fire Department
On May 8th, 2017, the Montgomery County Democratic Party requested that the Montgomery County Board of Commissioner’s require that the Uwharrie Volunteer Fire Department immediately remove the North Carolina Confederate Flag that flies atop our privately-owned building. The democratic party requested that if the UVFD did not comply, that funding and assistance to the fire department be withheld.
On July 18th, 2017, the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners asked Uwharrie Volunteer Fire Department to remove the confederate flag. The UVFD board of directors responded back with a letter stating that it was our first amendment right to be able to fly our North Carolina Confederate Flag without government restriction. The UVFD's purpose is to provide fire protection to ALL persons in need regardless of race. We also noted that our flag had not impeded our ability to provide emergency services. In our opinion the protection of life and property outweighs the few people that choose to be offended and have a perverted view of a symbol that is part of our community’s history and heritage.
The UVFD is NOT a racist organization. We refuse to let the racist organizations that use the confederate flag as a symbol of hate, define us.
On November 14th, 2017 four of the five county commissioners signed a letter to the UVFD and the 8th district Democratic Party and the Montgomery County Democratic Party. The letter stated that until the UVFD removes the confederate flag from the fire station property, the county will be limiting access to funds to permit only the fueling and maintenance of the two county owned trucks currently in possession of the Department.
Uwharrie Volunteer Fire Department is a small rural fire department located in the middle of the Uwharrie National Forrest. We have served our community and surrounding communities since 1983. The departments volunteers have families, jobs, and are active in local churches. We have 3 fundraisers per year to obtain the necessary funds to provide first response operations to our community and surrounding fire districts. The restriction the county has placed on our funds makes the burden that the volunteers carry that much heavier. All donations received will go towards continued operations, firefighting equipment and turn out gear for the volunteers. The UVFD has always been heavily supported by its community and would like to say thank you for all of your support. The support the Fire Dept. has received during the recent days has been overwhelming and encouraging not only from our local residents but those from other states as well.
We will continue to serve our community regardless of the restrictions placed upon us.
-The Uwharrie Volunteer Fire Department