Western Central Volunteer Fire Department

[NJFFSA16]

Financial woes closes Whitley County fire department
corraag
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (AP) - A rural Whitley County fire department
has shut down, but two other volunteer squads have agreed to expand
their coverage to the affected communities.
Judge-Executive Mike Patrick said he received notice last week
that the Western Central Volunteer Fire Department had closed
because of financial problems.
Patrick said the fire department, which operates on donations,
lost its insurance coverage because it couldn't afford to pay the
premiums, and, as a result, can no longer make emergency runs.
Charles Fritts, president of the fire department, declined to
comment on the situation Monday.
Under an emergency plan, the 3-Point Volunteer Fire Department
will serve the affected communities with the Woodbine Volunteer
Fire Department providing backup as needed.
Rick Fore, Woodbine's fire chief, said it could take up to 45
minutes for firefighters from the other departments to reach some
communities.
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Information from: Times-Tribune, http://www.corbintimes.com

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[jridener43776]

I am a volunteer Firefighter with Woodbine Fire Department. Woodbine is located on the east north eastern part of Whitley county, we serve a small section that is also located in the north western part of knox county, Western Central Fire Department is located on the most western part of Whitley county. It is about a twenty mile distance if we take I75 or 25W to get to any calls in Western Centrals district Chief Rick Fore is right about response time because either way to travel the roads have many curves and hills. We to are strictly volunteer, it makes it very hard on those of us who respond in our own vehicles to a scene especially with gas prices. But Im not complaining I gladly help out Three Point Fire Department, I know they've helped us out many times.