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By TODD FORTUNE
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
The Washington Volunteer Fire Department is currently in the midst of their spring fund drive. But they are also in need of volunteer firefighters and rescue personnel.
The department’s goal is to raise $35,000. As of April 7, they have raised $14,500. These funds go toward paying the costs of equipment needed to fight fires and save lives. For instance, the department recently purchased a new medic unit and wagon.
Thora Pullen, who organizes events at the fire hall, said in a recent interview that “people don’t understand the amount of money it takes to keep these units up and running.” She also mentioned that the tanker will need to be replaced soon as well.
Other things funded by donations include a free medical survey done last fall. Information from these surveys was input into the ambulance’s on-board computer, which alerts paramedics of medical conditions that the hospital may need to be aware of upon arrival.
To date, the survey has saved four people. In all four cases, technicians discovered that the patient had serious heart problems before treatment by accessing their information on the computer.
Donations from local res- j idents have been lower than J the department had hoped I
for. There are about 700 i| property owners in the Hampton District, which is serviced by Washington Volunteer Fire and Rescue (WFV&R). Only about 250, or 36%, contribute on a regular basis.
Rod Sweet, Chairman of Fund raising for WFV&R, thinks that many people don’t realize how much of an asset the fire department is.
But money isn’t the only problem facing the department. Sweet recently commented on some of the problems faced by the department.
The county has seven volunteer fire and rescue squads to cover approximately 264 square miles. Sperryville has a separate fire department
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