WESTOVER – The Westover Volunteer Fire Department turns 100 years old this year.
Assistant Chief Brad Wilson said the county’s oldest volunteer fire company has one item on its birthday wish list.
Wilson recently told Westover City Council that the department’s two mainline engines have been in service for 32 and 36 years.
“They are starting to show their age. They will need to be replaced in the very near future. As you may or may not know, the cost of fire apparatus has been soaring. Since 2011, the price tag on a fire engine has jumped 100%,” he said.
Wilson has been with the WVFD since 1985. He said the last engine purchased, a 1994 model still in use, cost $195,000.
“That truck today is about $850,000,” he said, explaining a rough estimated price range on engines to be finished this year runs from $694,000 to $960,000.
“While we’ve been very fiscally responsible over the years, and by no means are we in danger of having to close the doors any time, it’s almost impossible to raise that kind of money with fundraisers alone,” Wilson said, explaining the department uses state support and its county fire levy allocation to offset operating costs.
It also holds emergency funds in reserve, but those backup funds are needed to replace damaged equipment and keep up with maintenance and repairs at the firehouse.
“A recent example, the boiler fire at the chemical plant on Super Bowl Sunday. We’re going to have to replace six sections of hose, and we’ve got two sets of bumper gear that are questionable as to whether they can be used again due to the oil. We just can’t get it cleaned off,” he said. “You’re looking at $600 replacing the hose, and the gear is $18,000 apiece for each firefighter.”
Wilson asked city council to consider aiding the department in purchasing a new engine as part of its upcoming budget.
“In closing, we are asking the city, if they cannot afford to budget us a new engine in the upcoming budget year, to get us close enough to where we feel comfortable adding the extra that would be needed to finish the purchase,” he said.
The Westover Volunteer Fire Department responded to 801 calls in 2025.
