Rising fuel costs impact volunteer firefighters

WOODBURN, Ky. (WNKY) – Rising gas prices are creating new challenges for volunteer fire departments, impacting both their budgets and the firefighters who rely on their own vehicles to respond.

At the Woodburn Fire Department, chief Bob Skipper says fuel costs have increased significantly, with it now costing nearly twice as much to fill up a fire truck compared to previous years.

“We’ll probably have to amend our budget somewhat because we didn’t budget that much for fuel costs,” Skipper said. “Every extra dollar that we have to pay in fuel costs takes away from something.”

The department is made up entirely of volunteers, handling around 900 calls a year in a rapidly growing area of Warren County. Many of those volunteers use their personal vehicles to get to the station, meaning higher gas prices can also impact them directly.

“They still are spending their own money to drive to the station, to make a call or to go to a meeting or a training,” Skipper said.

While response times have not been affected, Skipper says the added costs can create financial strain, especially for smaller or more rural departments with fewer resources.

“Any time we have extra cost, then that money has to come out of some other part of the budget,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Skipper says the department remains committed to serving the community and is encouraging public support through volunteering and local fundraisers.