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“Insurance is taking a big chunk out of everybody’s budget,” noted Supervisor Hubert Gilkey, a member of Chester Gap’s Volunteer Fire Department.
If the five local volunteer fire companies disbanded, the county, by law, would have to provide a fire station, he noted. The cost for salaries, equipment and building would be more than six times as much as the Fire and Rescue Association is requesting, Mr. Gilkey pointed out. “I think the majority of the people in the county support this,” he said.
Elaborating on the financial crisis now facing Rappahannock’s emergency service providers, he reported that Chester Gap’s Fire Company is going to have to sell its carnival rides “because we can’t get insurance.”
“I think rides are a thing of the past,” said Supervisor Estes, noting the difficulties everyone faces in securing insurance coverage.
“I think carnivals are almost a thing of the past,” Mr. Gilkey added. “I can’t speak for the other companies but I can speak for Chester Gap. Last year, our operational budget was $20,000 and we raised $21,000. I think the margin’s just as close in other companies, too.”
In addition to meeting operating expenses, emergency service providers must also generate money to replace equipment, Mr. Gilkey continued. “Our newest piece of fire equipment is a 1963 Ford. Our oldest is a 1953.”
“I don’t think we’ve got any choice,” said Supervisor Newbill Miller, supporting the $38,230 request from Rappahannock’s Fire and Rescue Association. “I don’t see how the individual companies keep going now.”
Still in the budget — at least for the time being — is a $10,000 allocation for the county’s share of health insurance premiums for sheriffs department personnel. Supervisor Gilkey noted that according to Sheriff John Henry Woodward, the amount is sufficient to pay the local half of premiums for constitutional officers, as well.
County employees can’t get group health insurance unless local government pays half, Clerk Diane Bruce reminded the supervisors.
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