Fire departments receive funding

State Treasurer John Perdue's office disbursed $6.7 million to 425 volunteer fire departments during the first three months of 2007.

Each volunteer fire department received $15,906 as

part of a West Virginia code stipulation. State law reads

that volunteer fire departments be included among entities

that receive a small surcharge on fire and casualty insur-

ance policies sold in West Virginia.

Volunteer departments in Morgan County are Berkeley Springs, Great Cacapon, Paw Paw and South Morgan.



"As with all funds and accounts we administer day to day, we take custody of this account – and disbursement from it – very seriously," Perdue said. "We know that our volunteer firefighters count on this money."

State Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis echoed Perdue's comments, saying: "It purchases new equipment, allows for training and the purchase of

personal protective gear. The bottom line is that money is just the salvation of these volunteer fire departments around the state."