Amber Kelly Photo: Volunteer firefighters Gary Keith and Desa Malina (Deming) – The basic logic behind volunteer fire departments is to be first on the scene in Luna County’s most rural areas.
While the Deming Fire Department responds to all structure fires in the county, volunteer fire department personnel are charged with responding to all fires in the county, including small brush fires that can quickly grow out-of-hand.
But Luna County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Luis Malina said their work is becoming more difficult with the decline in volunteer numbers.
Malina said there are four departments with four districts, but Florida Mountain and Savoy have no members. He said Cooke’s Peak is covering Savoy’s area and Sunshine is covering Florida Mountain’s area.
That’s why the Luna County commissioners unanimously voted last week to convert the Savoy and Florida Mountain stations to substations, which lessens the requirements each station must meet to stay in existence.
County Manager Charles “Tink” Jackson said he thinks part of the reason volunteer numbers are so low is because the general public doesn’t understand how it affects their checkbook through lower fire insurance costs.
Jackson and county staff are planning a series of events to promote the volunteer departments, and to help raise funds to provide incentives and show appreciation for the volunteers.
The first event will be this weekend during the Great American Duck Races, held at Luna County Courthouse Park. Organizers said the public will have an opportunity to speak with volunteers and check out the equipment they use.
While the Deming Fire Department responds to all structure fires in the county, volunteer fire department personnel are charged with responding to all fires in the county, including small brush fires that can quickly grow out-of-hand.
But Luna County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Luis Malina said their work is becoming more difficult with the decline in volunteer numbers.
Malina said there are four departments with four districts, but Florida Mountain and Savoy have no members. He said Cooke’s Peak is covering Savoy’s area and Sunshine is covering Florida Mountain’s area.
That’s why the Luna County commissioners unanimously voted last week to convert the Savoy and Florida Mountain stations to substations, which lessens the requirements each station must meet to stay in existence.
County Manager Charles “Tink” Jackson said he thinks part of the reason volunteer numbers are so low is because the general public doesn’t understand how it affects their checkbook through lower fire insurance costs.
Jackson and county staff are planning a series of events to promote the volunteer departments, and to help raise funds to provide incentives and show appreciation for the volunteers.
The first event will be this weekend during the Great American Duck Races, held at Luna County Courthouse Park. Organizers said the public will have an opportunity to speak with volunteers and check out the equipment they use.
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