Many rural communities must rely on volunteer fire departments to meet the needs of the surrounding communities. Marshall County is no different and has multiple volunteer fire departments.
Many rural communities must rely on volunteer fire departments to meet the needs of the surrounding communities. Marshall County is no different and has multiple volunteer fire departments.
According to ok.gov, Oklahoma has more than 900 volunteer fire departments in communities of less than 10,000 people. The Oklahoma Forestry Services’ Rural Fire Defense program has attempted to provide funding and assistance to the volunteer fire departments since 1908. The departments also rely on grants from the Oklahoma Forestry Service.
Even with the grants and other government assistance, it still isn’t enough to keep a volunteer fire department running.
They also rely on membership dues. Members are typically residents living in the immediate area. Still, with membership dues, some departments are still needing monetary assistance.
The Enos/Cardinal Cove Volunteer Fire Department has been facing an increase in the cost of running the department and decided at their last board meeting. They announced the decision on Facebook.
“The Board of your Enos/Cardinal Cove Volunteer Fire Department has reached the difficult decision to begin charging for fire response for those with unpaid membership dues beginning March 31st, 2024,” the post stated.
“As noted on your annual dues notice ‘Fire rates for owners with unpaid membership are: $75 per hour, per truck AND $15 per each man, per hour (one hour minimum)’, the post continued. “The costs of maintaining/replacing aging vehicles, equipment, and building maintenance has increased. We need all members to pay their dues to keep rates affordable for all.”
According to Oklahoma statute §18-593, volunteer fire departments can charge.
“ Any charitable corporation formed for the purpose of providing either a volunteer or a full-time fire department, pursuant to Section 592 of this title, shall have authority to establish a reasonable schedule of fees to be charged for its services in extinguishing fires and all other emergencies of its members and nonmembers who utilize such fire department to extinguish or control a fire or provide services in response to an emergency either within or without the unincorporated area wherein it is situated. Such schedule of fees may contain one fee for members and another fee for nonmembers, except that no fee shall be established in excess of the approximate cost of providing the service. Any member or nonmember utilizing the services of such a fire department to extinguish or control a fire or provide services in response to an emergency shall be liable to said corporation in the amount of the established fee. However, no fee shall be charged by a fire department for merely appearing at the scene of a controlled fire unless called by the person setting the fire or at such person's request. If it is necessary for suit to be brought for collection of such amount due, such liability shall include costs of suit and a reasonable attorney's fee.”