Increase in Moores Mill Volunteer Firefighter applicants shines light on funding challenges
MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — In an effort to keep up with Madison County’s growing population, Moores Mill Volunteer Fire Rescue says within the last two months, close to 30 people have joined their ranks.
The department says these are people who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way without monetary compensation.
“The fear is these men and women are signing up to do something really great for their community, and the burden is on us as a fire department to provide them the things they need to do the function of that job,” Moores Mill Volunteer Fire Rescue Spokesperson Ethan Fitzgerald stated.
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Fitzgerald says that’s where it gets challenging.
More firefighters call for new out-fitting equipment, and that’s cost money Fitzgerald says they don’t have due to their tax funding structure, which hasn’t changed in over 30 years.
“Last night, we had 10 new recruits training,” Fitzgerald said. “Now, I’ve got to find, at least for each one of them, $5,000+ just to buy a radio to equip them so they can communicate.”
Fitzgerald says at this point, they’re just trying to do the best they can with what they’ve got.
“Yes, we get contributions from the commission and they’re very generous. Yes, we get checks here and there,” Fitzgerald stated. “From a tax perspective, a lot has changed in 30 years and Moores Mill along with other communities don’t even get tax money from manufactured homes.”
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If you live in Madison County, you will soon be getting a donation mailer from your designated fire station asking for monetary donations.
“Whether they’re your primary or secondary…at the end of the day, if there’s a fire on Fox Run in Meridianville, that’s actually going to be Meridianville’s department, but we are automatically paged to assist,” Fitzgerald said. “All I care about is making sure all of our departments are equipped to be able to handle any sort of fire or medical call.”
For more information on Moores Mill Volunteer Fire Rescue, click here.
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