With a new fiscal year beginning in July, public services around Morehead are experiencing budget adjustments. Rowan County operates four volunteer fire departments entirely staffed by community members. Now, those stations are receiving extra funding to support staffing.
The money was allocated by the Rowan County Fiscal Court in this year’s budget and is designed to cut down on response times by having crews available eight hours a day, seven days a week. Judge Executive Harry Clark said the county has worked to improve each of its emergency services.
“We made a priority to upgrade all of the departments. So, we started with the road department and the ambulance service, really was the two we really focused on. Then we built two new ambulance services, and we renovated a new coroner’s office, state of the art. So then, it was time to focus on the fire departments,” said Clark.
The county’s stations, Elliottville, Farmers, Haldeman-Hayes Crossing, and Route 377, relied on volunteers staying at the station or arriving from elsewhere before responding to emergencies. Clark said now daytime crews will be ready to move as soon as a call comes in. He added departments will be able to collaborate in emergency situations.
“If all the fire departments are manned with two individuals, let’s say we have an issue in Farmers. They have two people on duty; they will respond to it immediately. This will allow them to pull from other parts of the county to have folks to fight the fire on scene,” said Clark.
The budget for fire safety has grown to $760,000 invested in county volunteer and the city of Morehead’s departments. Route 377 Volunteer Fire Department Battalion Chief Danny Blevins said these changes make continued growth possible.
“We went from a gravel floor fire station back in the 80’s and slowly progressed to today, which is the first time in the history of our department that we have been able to pay people to be here. So, it’s been a progressive improvement through the years. The biggest thing for me is just seeing it built to where it is today,” said Blevins.
Blevins said the number of people stepping up to do the job has decreased over the years, and that becoming a volunteer is a process.
“There is a lot of work to being a volunteer fire fighter, it ain’t just come in here and jump on the truck. We have got to make sure people are trained to do what they’re supposed to be doing and be as safe as they can while doing it,” said Blevins. “It’s all very expensive to equip a fire fighter as far as gear and things of that nature.”
All volunteer firefighters in the county must be trained before they can begin working. Judge Executive Clark said that education and practice can be given more focus with firefighters working around the clock.
“When the folks come in for training at night, they can actually do training and not be so worried about, ‘Well we’ve got to fix this on this truck, and we’ve got to mow the yard, and we’ve got to do this and do that.’ They will have most of that stuff done, and when they come in the firemen will actually come in for training,” said Clark. “I think it will help volunteers.”
Local fire chiefs and departments are in control of how the funding is used in their service region. Officials said the money may also be used to maintain equipment that is crucial to a quick response, like vehicles, and worn gear.
While full daytime coverage is the goal for each station, more volunteers are needed. Terry Kidd, a Firefighter and EMT for the Haldeman-Hayes Crossing Fire Department, said choosing to become a volunteer is a transformative experience.
“For me, I do not have a family member that was in this and I just happened into it. I could not see myself doing it any differently than volunteering time. It does give you a sense of accomplishment. It gives you a sense of doing something for the community,” said Kidd.
Montana Caudill is also a volunteer for the Haldeman-Hayes Crossing Department and the public relations and training officer. She said the funding could spark change in the region.
“I hope that this makes a difference, between your regular type of volunteer service and this new type of volunteer service. I just hope the community sees it; the county sees it. That, ‘Oh, wow, this is really something. And I hope other towns see it,” said Caudill.
Judge Executive Harry Clark said emergency services will continue to develop in Rowan County, and there are grants in play that direct more funding into future projects. He added the next possible change for fire safety would be a new station for the Elliottville department. More information about becoming a volunteer firefighter can be found by contacting local fire departments.