WV Fire Marshal: Volunteer Departments in Deep Financial Trouble

From the Charleston Gazette:

State Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis Jr. said West Virginia volunteer fire departments are in deep financial trouble.

"We used to be able to say it would happen 'one of these days,' but now we're saying 'it's today' -- fire departments are in a crisis," Lewis said.

Last month, Teays Valley Volunteer Fire Chief John Smoot asked the Putnam County Commission to raise the county's annual fire fee.

...

Lewis said fire stations across the state are being forced to deal with several problems at the same time - lack of funds and manpower, and higher workers' compensation and equipment costs. For example, Lewis said a firefighter's air pack cost $1,500 15 years ago, but today costs nearly $4,000.

Read more on the details of the crisis HERE.