Who Will Help Volunteer Firefighters: ; Relief Is Needed, Departments Say, but Who Will Pay Is the Issue

Summary

---

As gas prices soar, the costs of running a volunteer fire department are rising. Now, the West Virginia Legislature and counties are debating over who will pay the rising costs of the state's 424 volunteer departments.

Volunteer departments are pressing states and counties for relief as it becomes ever harder to recruit and retain the firefighters that West Virginians depend on for the vast majority of the state's fire protection. But with officials reluctant to raises taxes or fees, it's no surprise that state and local officials differ over who should shoulder the burden.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Who Will Help Volunteer Firefighters: ; Relief Is Needed, Departments Say, but Who Will Pay Is the Issue

"The cost of being a volunteer goes up every day with the price of gas," said Sam Love, a former volunteer chief and lobbyist with the West Virginia State Firemen's Association. "We need ...

See the full content of this document

---