Charleston - Huntington, West Virginia -- WOWK -- 13NewsTeays Valley VFD Leaving Fire Board a Leap Of Faith

When State Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis first heard about Teays Valley Volunteer Fire Department's intention to withdraw from the Putnam County Fire Board, he had some doubts and unanswered questions

"They're taking a leap of faith that the people that live in the response area are going to be receptive to this," said Lewis.

"I'm sorry they felt they had to alienate themselves," said Glen Whittington of the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department.

He said Teays Valley is frustrated just like his department.  He's hoping a fire service fee increase to address funding will help.

"We're hoping we can get this problem solved and we can meet Teays Valley's needs just like we're going to meet the needs of the other seven fire departments in Putnam County," said Whittington.

Lewis said he is eagerly waiting to see if a subscription-based fire service program will work.  It's been successful in other parts of the country and Teays Valley is the first fire department in West Virginia to go this route. With fire departments across the state in dire straits due to money, Lewis said departments may have to look for innovative ways to survive.

"It's going to create a situation where these other departments are going to have to look for other ways to finance themselves," said Lewis.

In the last election Lewis said fire levies in six West Virginia counties did not pass, forcing departments to look for ways to stay afloat. 

Attorneys for both the Teays Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the Putnam County Fire Board are expected to meet sometime this month to work out details of the withdrawal.