Staffing, Funding Woes Threatens W.Va.Station

Jan. 21--The Bradley-Prosperity Fire Department had a press conference Friday to help spread awareness of the financial and personal strain the department is under because of lack of funding and manpower.

Substation No. 2 on Rag-land Road may have to be shut down, said public information officer Bobby Palmer. If it does, things will change for residents and businesses in the area the substation serves.

If that station is shut down, residents will see an increase in their fire insurance, Palmer said, one that could possibly triple their premiums.

Although the closing is not set in stone -- it largely relies on the response of the community -- Palmer explained the two reasons he says it may be shut down.

"No. 1, it is causing a dramatic financial strain on us. The only money we have coming in is through fundraising efforts," he said, adding the average cost of operations and upkeep for the rented No. 2 station is $800.

"To rent the No. 2 station it costs as much as it would to fully maintain utilities and operations at the No. 3 station, and it's a pretty massive burden," he said.

"The other reason that station could potentially close is due to a lack of manpower and volunteers."

Palmer explained that the Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department operates three stations that protect 59 square miles of northern Raleigh County: the No. 1 station in Bradley, No. 2 on Ragland Road and No. 3 in Dry Hill.

"Basically, any resident or business that lives within 1,000 feet of a hydrant, if they lose that station, their insurance could possibly triple because their ISO rating would go from a Class 5 to a Class 10, which basically means they have no fire protection," he said.

"If there is an incident, another fire department will have to respond. Instead of us being able to respond with a truck from that station, we will have to take the truck from the Bradley station, causing a delay in response."

And in emergencies, time is of the essence, he said.

Palmer said he hopes also to educate the public and garner support for the upcoming levy, which will be voted on in the May 8 primary election.

His purpose is to try to get businesses and residents that are protected by the No. 2 station to reach out to financially help support the department.

"We also need volunteers," Palmer lamented. "The volunteers and fundraising go hand-in-hand, so the more volunteers, the more funds we are able to generate."

Palmer said the mission is clear.

"We have a mission in front of us to get out and inform the public and make the residents of the county knowledgeable about this levy," he said.

The Raleigh County Fireman's Association is now making plans to let the public know more about it, too, he said.

Anyone interested is asked to call the No. 1 station at 304-877-2340 or send a check or money order to P.O. Box 331, Bradley, WV 25818.

-- E-mail: [email protected]

Copyright 2012 - The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va.