Careers & Education

Pender, NC, County Officials Move to Take over EMS & Fire

March 17, 2025

Pender EMS and Fire Chief Everett Baysden said his agency has nothing to hide.

Pender EMS and Fire will likely be taken over by the county by the year's end.

County officials said they made the decision after not receiving financal documents from the service as requested, WETC reported.

Pender EMS and Fire Chief Everett Baysden told a reporter he takes exception to the allegeations.

The commissioners' resolution also eliminated the board of directors and appointed t

“We at Pender EMS and Fire have nothing to hide. We’re a sovereign company. We have never mismanaged any county money. Every money we get goes to the protection of Pender County."

A meeting on the issue is set for Wednesday.

There are 250 employees at the private, nonprofit department.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.