Gilmer County Fire Department Information #1 – 04.29.12

This is the first of a series of articles to inform the people of Gilmer County about their fire department and to provide useful information that can help them protect themselves and their families.

The Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department was established on May 12, 1947. It is organized as a IRS 501(C)3. The board of directors consists of two members from each station and a chairman which meet once a month. The fire department serves the entire county of 340 square miles accessed by over 500 miles of public and private roads with five stations located in Cedarville, Glenville, Normantown, Sand Fork and Troy. It is unusual compared to other fire departments in West Virginia because it serves an entire county with multiple stations.

The fire department responds to fires, automobile accidents, calls for assisting ambulance crews, highway blockages involving fallen trees and rock slides, downed power lines, alarm reports, hazardous material incidents, reports of leaking gas, and missing person reports. The fire department also provides support and training for the Project Lifesaver program administered by the sheriff’s department to allow those with diminished capacity to be found if they disappear. Typically the fire department responds to about 140 incidents per year.

Through mutual aid agreements, the fire department assists fire departments in other counties such as Doddridge, Lewis and Ritchie Counties. In turn those fire department assist Gilmer County when necessary.

The fire department currently has 56 active volunteers. Becoming a firefighter requires taking a 140 hour firefighter 1 course including hazardous material familiarization, first aid and CPR. Firefighters recertify on first aid and CPR every two years. Training continues with additional courses following completion of the firefighter I course.

Training is often conducted at the Glenville station with some members attending classes elsewhere in the state. Most recently the fire department has utilized the training resources of the West Virginia Fire Academy in Jackson Mills. Most of the firefighters’ training is paid by the fire department with the exception of occasional courses that a state or federal agency may offer for free.

Here’s one place the Commission needs to be spending our tax dollars instead of how to buy new county cars that are more comfortable (or is it to keep up with the richer county Joneses?). I’d say it’s more important for fire fighters to get to us than any head honcho!
How about some new hoses, truck maintenance or gear for the satellite stations who work with the oldest equipment? 
These people work for us seven days a week as volunteers but you never hear about giving to them.  Maybe if the Sheriff’s Dept would quit trying to play cross country super cop with our vehicles they wouldn’t need all those auto body repairs and new engines. There’s a deductible to be paid even if it goes through insurance and that sure won’t drive the rates down.

Everyone should make an effort to make a donation, however small, to the fire department.  In an emergency, they are quick to respond and we are very lucky to have them.  Most areas have a fire tax to pay for their fire protection.  We do not have that and I am sure if everyone in the county gave a few dollars a year, it would be very helpful to them.

The fire department does receive tax money from the special levy. Without the money it would not be able to operate as it currently does. The voters will be able to support the fire department on the primary ballot by voting to continue the special levy that includes both the fire department and the ambulance service.

Supporting the fire department by voting for the special levy in the upcoming election will not increase your taxes. The fire department has faced increased costs in several areas. Donations are always appreciated as is the support from those who attend bingo on Monday nights.