🔥 Petition to Support Our Polk County Firefighters

They protect our families — it’s time we protect theirs.

Every time we hear the sirens, see the smoke, or face disaster — it's our local firefighters who show up. Without hesitation. Without complaint. Whether they are paid or volunteer, these brave men and women leave their homes, their families, and their own safety behind to serve us.

And right now, they need us to show up for them.

The Crisis:
Polk County is experiencing multiple forest fires, stretching our fire departments to the breaking point. Firefighters — both paid and volunteer — are working long, exhausting shifts. Many are giving up their days off or taking time away from their full-time jobs just to help save our community.

They are not only fighting fires — they’re fighting fatigue, burnout, and poverty wages.

The average salary for a firefighter in Polk County is just $30,450 per year. That’s $20,000 less than the North Carolina state average of $50,425. And even that state average isn’t livable anymore.

They’re risking everything for us — and being paid less than some entry-level jobs.

 
The Reality:
They miss birthdays, holidays, and family dinners.
They go without sleep to save a neighbor’s home.
They fight to keep our children safe while theirs wait anxiously for them to come home.

This isn’t just about pay — it’s about respect, dignity, and fairness.

 
What We’re Asking For:
We are calling on our Polk County Commissioners and elected officials to:

Raise firefighter pay across Polk County and the Town of Tryon to reflect their skill, dedication, and risk.

Provide retention and recruitment incentives to maintain strong and sustainable departments.

Prioritize emergency services funding in the county’s budget — because public safety should never be an afterthought.

Pursue state and federal grant opportunities to help support these changes (such as FEMA’s SAFER grant program).

Give the community a voice in how our fire departments are supported and resourced.
 

Our Call to Action:
Let’s stand together as a community that values its heroes.
Let’s make it clear to our leaders that underpaying our firefighters is unacceptable.

Let’s fight for the people who fight for us.

🖊️ Sign this petition and let our leaders know:

We support our firefighters. They protect us — now it’s our turn to protect them