Donations are currently needed for the West Carter County Volunteer Fire Department.

The conversation for donations comes after the death of longtime board member William “Bill” Garland on Feb. 2. In lieu of flowers after his passing, his family requested donations to be made to the fire station. So far, $1,020 has been raised.

“In the past year, he was in such poor health that he could not attend many meetings, but he was a dedicated member of the board,” said Ginger Holdren, secretary of the station and a county commissioner.

Holdren said donations would be used to help pay for equipment, including a new tanker truck purchased for the facility.

The truck, which was $350,000, was paid for by a loan obtained from the station. This new edition aids firefighters in things like having additional water on scenes, as well as pumps. It also meets the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, requirements.

Holdren said new editions such as this increase the rating for the fire station, which is not only beneficial for the station but also the community.

“A lot of people don’t realize this, but the rating of their fire station benefits the insurance on their home,” she said. “So the newer our equipment is, the faster our response time and so on, the higher rating we’re going to get and the lower their insurance is going to get.”

Holdren said this equipment also comes in handy when aiding other stations. Some may not have as much water. The aiding of other stations is part of the mutual aid agreement held in the area.

In addition to new equipment, repairs to the facility would also be made.

Besides fires, the station also aids in things like wrecks and even gives out smoke detectors to families.

Those who cannot send in money are encouraged to donate things like bottled water for the firefighters, nonperishable food if the scene needs it or time if someone is interested in volunteering. People wanting to volunteer go through a 64-hour training class.

Donations can be sent to the fire station’s PayPal account at www.paypal.me/wccvfd.

“These men and women are braver than I’ll ever understand,” Holdren said. “I’m just so proud to be a small part of that community.”