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WELLSBURG -- The Brooke County Commission adopted a procedure Tuesday for the disbursement of state funds awarded on a one-time basis for local fire departments and granted the first request from a department for a portion of that money.
The commission agreed to divide $79,383 awarded to Brooke County into equal allotments of $7,983.34 for each of the fire departments serving the county.
The 10 are: Bethany, Beech Bottom, Colliers, Follansbee, Franklin Community, which is on Washington Pike; Hooverson Heights, Wellsburg, Windsor Heights, McKinleyville and Weirton.
Last year state legislators agreed to allocate about $12 million from excess lottery funds to counties throughout the state based on population and local levies serving the departments.
Commission President A.J. Thomas said state Del. Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke, has been asked if a department's status as paid or volunteer has any bearing on the funding.
All but the Weirton department are volunteer fire companies.
But County Commissioner Tom Diserio said the Weirton department also has a volunteer division and has been able to receive other state funds in the past.
"Jimmy was going to check on it, but it shouldn't be an issue," he said.
The commissioners said they met recently with members of the Brooke County Fire Chiefs Association to discuss the procedure for requesting the funds and ways the money may be used.
It was noted it may not be used for wages but can pay for training and gear.
Diserio said state officials provided a lengthy list of equipment that may be purchased with it.
Thomas said the state has advised each county commission to keep records of how the money was spent, and forms have been developed should an audit be done.
He said the fire chiefs have been receptive to the process and welcome the opportunity for additional financial assistance.
"They're very appreciative of anything they receive," said Diserio, who also is assistant Follansbee fire chief.
In addition to receiving a portion of premiums paid on fire insurance policies, the 10 departments each receive $58,000 per year through the county's five-year fire levy.
But Diserio said all fire departments must contend with rising costs for equipment and training.
As an example, he cited the Hooverson Heights Fire Department, the first to submit invoices for the money it will spend from the one-time state allotment.
The department indicated it will use its portion of the funds to purchase two sets of bunker coats, two sets of bunker pants, each with built-in harnesses used in ladder operations; two sets of boots and a helmet.
The total cost for the gear is about $8,113, so the department will pay the difference, Diserio noted.
He said the Follansbee department recently ordered about 36 compressed air tanks for its members, a cost amounting to about $30,000.
Diserio said while the departments can refill the tanks as needed, the bottles themselves must be replaced after several years because they are made of a lighter material that, while not as cumbersome as the steel that once was used, is not as durable.