How does the local volunteer fire department support itself?

Answer 1

Primary sources of income for volunteer fire departments include support from local and federal governments, fund raising activities, donations, and billing.

Financial support from local governments primarily comes from those municipalities a department serves. The amount can vary greatly, and is often times a very small part of the departments income. The federal government, as well as states, offer a variety of grants that departments can apply for as well.

Fund raising, such as fairs, dinners, and raffles, are all common ways that volunteer departments support themselves. These are almost always organized by the volunteer firefighters themselves, or auxiliary groups.

Donations from individuals and businesses are also common. Many departments will send out letters asking for donations to residents within their first due territory.

Some departments may also bill for certain services. Rescue billing is one example in which when a fire department performs a rescue service after an automobile accident, they may bill the victim. Other types of billing also exist. These types of billing are more and more common as many volunteer departments are facing expenses that are far outgrowing their income.