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Roach agreed. “This is a national problem.” Rappahannock’s volunteer companies “are particularly stressed” because the large working city population leaves almost no one available during the day to cover fire and rescue calls.
Stations on the peripheral of the county routinely support neighboring jurisdictions, as well as providing fire protection to portions of Rappahannock County in the National Park system.
At least two Emergency Medical Technicians or paramedics are required for each ambulance run, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards require a minimum of four firefighters for a fire call.
Carter hopes the open house “will help make the community aware of the sacrifices being made by members of the volunteer fire departments, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Financial support to the fire departments improved markedly with the institution of the County Fire Levy and other state programs, but donations and fund-raising events remain the backbone of the VFD budgets.
Besides fewer people working longer hours, the shortage of members also translates to fewer, less productive fund drives and outside projects.
Standard funds are not keeping pace with inflation and technological advances are making computer systems and tactical equipment obsolete. Further, extensive research reveals that there are no grants or other readily available sources of money for capital improvements to fire stations or for the purchase of new fire apparatus.
According to the fire chiefs throughout the county, many trucks need to be refurbished or replaced
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