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The focus of this year's annual convention of state firefighters will be on how to attract more people to become volunteer firefighters.
Many of the fire departments across the state are volunteer, and members of West Virginia Firemen's Association are hoping a retirement plan will make the job more appealing to more people.
The McMechen Volunteer Fire Department is hosting this year's event. Association delegates are also discussing what is needed across the state.
"Our biggest need is money to run our operations. There are 450-plus fire departments in the state of West Virginia. It takes a lot of money to run them," said Doug Mongold, W.V. Firemen's Association member.
Aside from money, departments need a way to attract new members. It's one of the association's main goals since the number of firefighters across the state is dropping, Mongold said. A retirement plan is being proposed to the state's legislature for approval, he said.
The meetings at Oglebay Park wrap up Saturday morning, but some firefighters are headed to McMechen for a parade through the city, beginning at 2 p.m.
