$640K going towards keeping Kanawha County fire departments afloat

KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – Volunteer fire departments in the Tri-State area are always fighting to stay afloat and recruit firefighters, and they need funding to make this happen.

On Wednesday, the Kanawha County Commission approved $640,000 in funding to support all 33 departments across the county. That equates to each department receiving $20,000 with the exception of Smithers Volunteer Fire Department only getting $10,000 because they are located on the Kanawha-Fayette line, and Yeager Airport receiving $10,000 because they are an airport department.

Departments say the money will go towards protecting their firefighters, who spend their days defending their communities. The majority of those firefighters do so on a volunteer basis.

“The main objective of this funding is to keep us going and operating,” Pratt Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bobby Shanklin said. “It used to be, years back, and some departments still do fundraisers, and it’s just so hard that we have to dedicate so much time to training, and then you have a normal 6-7 day a week job, and then you have to worry about volunteering, so it helps us alleviate the option of having to get out and fundraise just to keep our doors open. It’s a really great blessing from the Kanawha County Commission.”

Shanklin said his department currently has 18 members on the roster, and it takes a lot of “devotion and training” to be willing to serve as a volunteer.

“It’s a big shot in the arm for us, for the county to step up and give us the funding we need to operate to serve the county, and outlying counties too,” Shanklin said. “We all, we run into Fayette County with Fayette County fire departments and other departments do the same thing from Kanawha County.  o, it’s a blessing all around for the whole state, to be honest with you.”

The Pratt VFD serves the Pratt, Hansford and Paint Creek communities. For other smaller departments, staying afloat financially and in terms of workers is a constant uphill battle, but one that communities depend on.

“Some departments can’t operate without that (funds),” Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Chief Michael “Gordy” Coleman said.

His department went through a big shift this year in terms of where they receive portions of their funding.

“We were in the ambulance service, and we were fortunate, but in March, we went out of the ambulance service, so that type of money is not coming in anymore,” Coleman said. “We are getting some, and in the next three years, we’ll see what happens. I just hope the county money keeps coming because it’s very needed for every department.”

Coleman said the funds will help them pay for utility bills, pay for their building, pay for new bunker gear and more.

“All volunteer departments, we try to get the best equipment we can as far as fire protection for our guys. You’re looking at one single person walks in, it’s going to cost you about $5,000 to fit them with the bunker gear: helmets boots, pager, whatever. With the $20,000 coming in, that will take care of at least five people,” Coleman said.

He added, “We’re fortunate since July, we have acquired five new members here on the department. So, that money will come in handy. Plus, you know, you got the insurance and the workers comp and pay for this new building, pay for this new truck. That money will be split up and around. It will be well spent, and we really appreciate it.”

The Charleston Fire Department, one of the few departments that does not rely solely on volunteers in the county, plans to use the funds to continue protecting firefighters and their safety while responding to calls.

“Any supplemental funding is a great opportunity for any emergency services, especially the fire department. We’re excited about it. We’re excited about the partnership with Kanawha County to be able to take part in this,” Captain David Hodges said.

“What we’re focusing on is building up our firefighter safety. We’re looking at additional thermal imaging cameras. Thermal imaging camera is something we all have in the fire service, but we want to assign them to each riding position in the fire apparatus,” Hodges said. “It allows our firefighters to be more situationally aware. That’s one of the projects we’ll be focusing on with the money.”

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