Buckhannon-Area Volunteer Fire Departments Face Funding and Staffing Strain

Volunteer fire departments serving the Buckhannon area say aging equipment and shrinking volunteer rosters are increasingly straining their ability to respond to calls, a challenge fire officials say mirrors a statewide trend affecting rural volunteer departments. Several departments in Upshur County report volunteer numbers well below levels seen a decade ago, even as call volume has held steady or increased.

"People still want to help their community, but the time commitment for training and certification has grown, and a lot of people just can't carve that time out anymore," said one longtime volunteer fire chief in the area. "We used to have a bench. Now we don't."

Equipment Costs Compound the Problem

Departments also report rising costs for replacing aging trucks and equipment, with some relying on fundraising and state grant programs to cover expenses that stretch local budgets thin. Several chiefs say they have delayed equipment replacement longer than they would prefer, a decision they describe as a calculated risk given limited alternatives.

County officials say they are exploring options to support recruitment and equipment funding, including potential shared services agreements between neighboring departments, though any formal proposal remains in early discussion stages.