Charleston - Huntington, West Virginia -- WOWK -- 13NewsFire departments in WV could get a boost from Legislature

A bill before the West Virginia Legislature would benefit volunteer fire departments across the state in a much-needed way.

House Bill 2047 would create a lottery scratch-off game with proceeds to provide incentives for people to become volunteer firefighters and to help update equipment.

Many departments across the state and country are struggling financially and are having trouble getting volunteers.

"Right now other than the sense of helping someone there's not a lot to offer so to give someone the incentive to come here and volunteer their time to help other people is a great thing," said Lieutenant Jarrod Summers of the Winfield Volunteer Fire Department.

Lieutenant Summers said his department is down half the number of volunteers needed to be full staff.  The legislation is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.