By Ray King

Volunteer firefighters from across the river are asking the Jefferson County Quorum Court to take action  to prevent the possibly loss of property and lives as the result of one volunteer department who is apparently not functioning.

During the quorum court meeting Monday, Eddie Anderson, who is the Chief of the Altheimer Volunteer Fire Department said the Wright-Pastoria Fire Department is not training, have neglected their equipment, and has gone through several fire chiefs in a short period of time because the chiefs have not been able to get along with the department’s board.

After the meeting, Alderson told Deltaplex News his concerns.

Anderson proposed shutting down the Wright-Pastoria department and splitting the firefighting duties between Altheimer, Sherrill and Tucker.

He was told to determine what legal steps need to be taken and report back.

Karen Blevins, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, who deals with the volunteer departments, was asked about the Wright-Pastoria Department and responded this way.

Each volunteer department in the county receives $20,000 annually from proceeds from the Public Safety Sales Tax approved by county voters, The average age of volunteer fire departments in the county, according to one of the volunteer chiefs, is 42 and he said younger  people are needed. .