With the tough economy, it's becoming more difficult and costly for volunteer agencies to provide rescue services.

Some areas, including Staunton and Winchester, charge fees for ambulance services. Now rescue agencies in Shenandoah County are looking at that possibility.

Officials in Shenandoah County stress that this idea is in the early stages and is among other options being considered. It would still require approval from the county. They also would have to coordinate with Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance companies.

Fire and rescue volunteers in Mount Jackson are facing challenges in financing their operation.

"Running a fire department is not a cheap issue," says David Brinegar, president of Mount Jackson Rescue and Fire Company.

"If I'm looking to buy a new fire truck, we're looking at between $350,000 to $500,000. New ambulance? Right now we're checking one out. $190,000," says Brinegar.

Many of the three dozen volunteers and full time staff work other jobs and devote several days a week for the company along with their training.

"Firefighter One is a hundred and some hours," says Robert McKenzie.

"Plus, I'm fairly newly married. I've been married for three years," says Brinegar. "So, that takes a little time too, to do that right."

"Then you have to try to work in all your fund raising, it kind of takes away from your home life, your family," says Melissa Brinegar, David's wife, who volunteers in addition to working as a nurse and taking classes toward becoming a nurse practitioner.

One solution they're pushing for is a fee for ambulance services.

"By implementing a system like this, this will generate more funds to be able to help us help you," says Brinegar.

Other Valley locations, including Staunton and Winchester, already do this. They bill insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. The average basic fee is around $400.

"Volunteers don't have to spend all their time fund raising," says Brinegar. "And, also so we don't have to go to the taxpayer and say we're going to raise your taxes again. Nobody wants to hear that."

In the locations that do charge, they also have an option to waive the billing for people with low incomes and no insurance.

"When you call 911, we want an ambulance or a fire truck to go out the door and help you out, OK? It doesn't matter what your financial status is," says Brinegar.

County officials say they're going to assemble a task group to study the issue further.