To the editor: I am writing to you about

To the editor:

I am writing to you about our Fire Department and Rescue Squad in Washington. Virginia. I was astonished and greatly surprised last week when I was asked to go over the whole program of training, funding, and service involved in maintaining and operating the two most valuable services available to us in our emergencies—namely when fires destroy our property, and-or when we are suddenly in need of ambulance service for sickness or accident.

Let me share some of these findings with you.

1. There are only 19 active members manning the Fire and Rescue service for our District. 12 of these have been certified by the Slate Fire School Training Program. 13 carry qualifying First Aid Cards. Seven ot these First aid members have finished Emergency Medical Technician's Program.

2. They reported having spent 700 hours in specialized training in the last year—approximately 2(XK) man-hours last year on Fire and Rescue calls.

3. None of these 19 volunteers—who took their training at their own expense, often using their own cars and gas for answering emergency calls—received any financial payments whatsoever.

4. Members purchase their own clothing, shoes and protective gear, as well as their electronic communication equipment.

5. Now let us look at the overall cost of equipment and operating expenses, a. Fire truck - $35,000 to $45,000; b Necessary equipment $10,000 to $12,000; e. Ambulance cost - $22,000 to $25,000; d New fire house - which will provide needed protection and improve fund raising potential - $50,000 - much free labor and material' already have been con tributed; e. Average Fire oi Rescue Call costs - $100.00 f. Replacement costs to damaged equipment in fires and rains not estimated.

6. The next year's expense to operate an efficient service is estimated to be $25,000.00

Where will this monev come from, and how will it be raised?