In The News
At the recent WV State Firemen's Assn Convention in Charleston, Daily Mail Reporter Ashley Craig caught up with Danville Fire Chief John Holstein, here's a snippet from their conversation:
Volunteer firefighters still struggling with staffing, equipment and costs
by Ashley B. Craig
Daily Mail staff
Monday August 25, 2008
"The only thing the volunteers have is pride in their department and in what they do," said Chief John Holstein of the Danville Volunteer Department.
The Danville department just bought a brand new fire engine with a price tag of $368,000.
The engine, white with blue trim instead of classic fire engine red, has a custom cab but was outfitted at the fire department with the needed equipment.
Holstein, a 22-year volunteer, says the custom cab was picked because it can carry more firefighters, thus reducing diesel costs. Instead of taking two engines out to the scene of an emergency, the department only needs to take one. The company estimated that it spends between $15,000 and $20,000 a year on diesel fuel.
"I've never been an advocate for pretty, but it helps morale," Holstein said of the new truck. The inside still carried the new truck smell and is expected to be in service within the coming weeks.