Well, volunteer fire departments across the state are struggling to maintain their equipment and pay their bills.

Some local lawmakers have stepped in to boost funding.

"I know you need this and I hope it helps you purchase some of your equipment" said Sen. Harri Anne Smith, (R) Slocomb when speaking to a crowd.

Volunteer fire fighters in the town of black received a special gift Tuesday night $5,000 to go toward fire fighting efforts.

Local lawmakers presented the money after assistant chief Lawrence Whitaker told them about the department's financial hardship.

“They put their lives on the line each and every day. They do such a great service to the communities and we want to support them" said Rep. Warren Beck, (R) Geneva.

The men hope to buy bunker gear with the money they received, which is used to help them fight a fire. There were 15 members on the team, now there are 22 and the equipment can be costly.

"It runs anywhere from 1300 to 1500 dollars per fighter to equip them with boots and pants and the suit and a helmet. That is to help them go into a fire" said Chief Michael Hawthorne of the Black Vol. Fire Department.

Recently, the Fadette volunteer fire department was also given money to help with their expenses.

Having an operating fire station nearby is important for emergencies but it also keeps the cost of insurance low.

"The ISO rating that we have now is a 6-9. If we went back to a class 10-that's with no fire Dept. whatsoever, you could look at a 42-48 percent increase in homeowners insurance" said Chief Robert Herring of the Fadette Vol. Fire Department

Currently, a portion from the state's tobacco tax is given to volunteer fire departments, but it is not a steady source of revenue.

One month a department could get several hundreds of dollars, but the next they could get next to nothing.

"Tobacco tax money has really wandered down and if we don't do something in the future, there are going to be money issues" said Chief Hawthorne.

Senator Harri Anne smith and representative warren beck are working on a bill that will help fund volunteer departments in Geneva County by implementing a fire protection fee that each household would pay.

The bill is still being constructed, but if it goes through during the next legislative session in January, Geneva county residents will be able to vote on it.

There will be a community fire association meeting in black on Monday December 14th.

The time is to be announced.