PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. — The Putnam County Commission took time during their meeting Tuesday to recognize the Teays Valley Fire Department, State Senate and the Senator from Putnam County for their work in helping out volunteer fire departments financially.
Teays Valley Fire Department Chief John Smoot presented Senator Eric Tarr (R-Putnam) with a leather fireman’s helmet that detailed his name and the Teays Valley Fire Department as a token of their appreciation. Tarr was a proponent for getting much-needed funding to the fire departments all across West Virginia during the special session over the summer.
State lawmakers were able to pass legislation for $6 million a year to go towards fire service across the state. Also, an additional $6 million in one-time funding was passed. The intent was to have all $12 million be contributed to fire service annually, but that was unable to get passed, according to Tarr.
Smoot was thankful to Tarr and the rest of the Legislature for getting that done to help out what he describes as a “crippling” system.
“The state of the volunteer fire service in the state of West Virginia is crippling,” Smoot said. “The numbers have fallen off in people coming into the system and there’s a lack of response all over the state.”
The Teays Valley Fire Department had to reduce their staffing levels over the summer. The Fire Chief recalled conversations he had with Senator Tarr over the woes they had been going through with staffing and funding this year. He said the Legislature exceeded all of his expectations
“I saw more happen in three weeks in that Legislature than I could have ever dreamed of,” said Smooth.
Tarr recognized the struggles that fire departments were experiencing and was appreciative of the Teays Valley Department for what they do, despite the tough circumstances of late.
“It’s a mission-critical problem across the state with fire departments and despite of how blessed we are here in Putnam County, it’s a still a real struggle here as well,” said Tarr.
Since Putnam County is one of the larger counties in West Virginia, they will benefit more with the funding from the state to fire services. Tarr said it takes a team to take care of the people in Putnam County and the firefighters there deserve a boost.
“I can’t thank you all enough,” Senator Tarr said. “I know there’s a whole team of people that take care of us.”