Pandemic causing financial crisis for volunteer fire departments

PITTSVILLE, Md. – In Wicomico County, the Pittsville Volunteer Fire Department says the pandemic is taking a huge hit on critical funding they need to keep their services going.

The fire department tells 47ABC they have had to cancel major fundraising events like their bingo nights, which means they are losing tens of thousands of dollars in revenue.

They say this money is crucial for their service operations as well as the salaries for paramedics.

According to Tad Farlow, director at the Pittsville Volunteer Fire Department, right now there is a lot of uncertainty about how or when they will be able to offset some of their expenses during the outbreak.

“So, we’re in a position where we don’t know what’s going to happen, we have no idea how we’re going to continue to raise revenue,” said Farlow.

“We went from being able to put a little bit of money in the bank to actually worrying whether we’re going to be able to provide services later this year,” said Farlow.

Although people can donate money directly to fire departments Farlow says it simply would not be enough to help offset their losses. However, donations are still needed and for more information on how you can help, click here.