For many years, most residents of the Northern Panhandle and East Ohio have been able to count on volunteer fire departments to come to our aid in emergencies. Hundreds of men and women provide the service while asking for nothing in return.

For generations what they did was a wonderful bargain. In exchange for a few dollars now and then to replace equipment, buy supplies and cover expenses for fire halls, they responded quickly and effectively to fire and other emergency calls. But things have changed.

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