Hickory will provide Brookford with fire protection.
The Hickory City Council approved the five-year contract at its Tuesday meeting.
The Hickory Fire Department will answer fire calls in Brookford for $9,900 per year.
Councilwoman Jill Patton wanted to know why Brookford residents will pay about $23 per person for fire protection when Hickory residents pay close to $100 for the same service.
City Manager Mick Berry explained the mutual aid pact that links emergency assistance agencies in Catawba County.
"We have a long relationship with Brookford, and we already serve as backup," he said.
Mountain View Fire Department has served Brookford for a number of years, and Hickory has given assistance to that department and others through mutual aid.
"Often, we are on the scene first," Berry said about assisting with fires near Hickory.
Hickory's firefighting units are closer to Brookford than Mountain View's.
"We already have the equipment and personnel in place, and we'll be getting almost $10,000 for calls we'll run anyway," Berry said.
He said Hickory answered 12 fire emergencies in Brookford last year.
The city council unanimously approved the contract. Service begins April 1.
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