Several volunteer fire departments received state grants to help with maintenance and equipment. While it helps take some of the financial burden off fire departments, it doesn't solve the problem of a lack of volunteers.

Before any rig leaves a fire department to head to a scene it needs to be properly staffed and have the correct equipment, two things that aren't easy to come by.
Lou Lawson has been with the West Ridge Fire Department for the last 25 years and said in his time there, he was seen the interest in becoming a volunteer decrease. "A lot of them don't look at being a volunteer as that is being successful for them and so consequently, we have seen a decline in applications and it has hurt all the fire departments around the country", explained Lawson.


In addition to needing people, volunteer fire departments struggle with rising costs, which is why state grants are vital for their success.
Dave Soule, the President of the Belle Valley Fire Department said, "The moneys that we need to replace outdated equipment to secure additional equipment. You know, we have new members. We need to get additional gear. It's just absolutely necessary."


Staff at Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department said equipment isn't cheap especially when you have to replace outdated gear.
Chief Jeremy Moreland explained how they will spend the grant money, "We have 2003, very outdated vehicle right now. So that was the one big thing we went after and air packs,  where all of our air packs will be out out of date at the end of this year. So air packs are a big thing right now."


Meantime, officials at the West Ridge Fire Department said they will be using their money to help with maintenance and repairs on the building.


Lawson said while their equipment is in good shape, they will be using their grant money for necessary building upkeep, something that could be a deciding factor a fire fighter looking to see where they want to work. "When our candidates come in here that we want to become firefighters, they look at our facilities and they can see how nice we keep them and maintain them and it's an environment that we hope, will want to be around."


Other fire departments that received the grants said using the money to purchase new equipment or updating outdated gear, the money will also be used to pay bills and pay for training for firefighters.