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Updated: 4:06 PM Jul 23, 2008
Volunteer Firefighters Feeling the Pinch
Verona, Va. Dry and hot temperatures around the Valley had volunteer fire and rescue squads working around the clock and they're not getting paid. Posted: 5:49 PM Jul 22, 2008Reporter: Keith Jones Email Address: kjones@whsv.com |
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13 Comments 
Dry and hot temperatures around the Valley had volunteer fire and rescue squads working around the clock and they're not getting paid.
Under tough economic times, some stations are struggling to survive. About 30 volunteer squads serve Augusta County and only a few have active salaried employees.
Firefighters say fire has to burn, so there's no way they can afford to cut back.
According to Lt. Mindy Craun, as of January 1, there were more than a 1,000 volunteers serving the county. That group is made up of support members, rescue-only EMS, and fire personnel.
Jackie Huffman of the Verona Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad says, if costs continue to rise, some stations may go under.
"Community help. That's a big issue. Trying to get the funding from the community and stuff. We help them, but they don't want to come in and help us. The biggest pressure right now obviously are gas prices, being able to get to the calls and stuff."
Huffman says every volunteer has a full-time job on top of working at a firefighter.
Latest Comments
Paid staffing is not always the answer. Volunteers save localities millions of dollars by not having to provide that service. Yes, it may decrease response times, but it doesn't help aleviate the money issues which this report was about in the first place. With the economy in the shape it's in, it is difficult for some communities to support their local agencies the way the really wish the could do. I have read the comments on here and many slight this department for not having someone to provide a better interview, however if you notice volunteerism is down. As stated before, not everyone can provide extra time to serve as a volunteer and not all volunteers are blessed with the gift of gab on camera. So back to the original point of the whole story, voluteerism is down, monetary donations are down, gas prices are up, utility bills are increasing and all volunteer agencies could use more help.
First off, it's the volunteer's job to be there for the community. If people at the fire department want to bad mouth what help that they already get from the community (such as money and volunteers) they might as well kiss that good bye. They need to think positive. It would really help if paid career staff was in place at ALL stations, it would help when the volunteers couldn't get to the fire department and help with the response time! Also, people want to have a life outside of their job and the fire department, so they can't expect people to be there 24-7 unless there are paid career staff there! Thank you! Also, for Ms. Huffman, when you are being interviewed, look straight and not side to side and don't keep saying "stuff", it doesn't sound well or very professional at all. Just for future reference.
Actually Past Chief I have had a camera in my face doing an interview on many occassions and on spur of the moment at that. I think that you need to have a plan in place for this type of situation so when it arises then anyone within the company is prepared on what to say. You have the opportunity to ask what type of questions you will be dealing with, the reporter does not shove a camera in your face on a moments notice and tell you to speak. Maybe your company should think about having a delegated individual to do your interviews and if this person is not available then he/she will have a document prepared for other members to go by. I am in no way putting Ms. Huffman down, if you dont have the experience and training to speak in public then yes more then likely your words are not going to come out right. Just a thought for your company to think about. Oh and by the way Past Chief I am a volunteer!!!
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