State Fire Marshal’s Office Hears Needs Of UC Volunteer FD

The Muddy Pond Volunteer Fire Department identified funding as its main need to the state Fire Marshal’s Office Friday.

State officials visited Overton volunteer fire fighters as their first stop of several across the region. Fire Prevention Assistant Commissioner Gary Farley said he will bring the feedback to Nashville.

“We’re going to be doing a 95 county tour across the state to actually visit the volunteers and show how much we appreciate what they’re doing and offer any assistance we have from the State Fire Marshal’s Office to help them,” Farley said.

The Fire Marshal’s Office provided cleaning supplies and food at the outreach event. Farley said from the feedback he heard, bringing grant writing classes to the department could be a possibility to improve funding chances.

“This is probably our biggest group we’ve had in the counties we have came through,” Farley said. “It shows that what they said earlier that they don’t have a problem with recruiting and retention. These guys here are doing a great job.”

Farley said Jamestown and Byrdstown are the next stops. Farley said the state wants to make local connections to assist those who keep communities safe.