The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

December 15, 2009

Organ Cave seeking VFD

Tina Alvey

Involved in an ongoing battle over annexation, the Organ Cave community is now focusing part of its attention on organizing a volunteer fire department.

Brandon McCormick told the Greenbrier County Commission Monday the nascent VFD is not connected to Ronceverte’s recent annexation of the Stoney Glen development, which is located in the Organ Cave area. The community has challenged the legality of the city’s expansion of its boundaries in a lawsuit now headed for the state Supreme Court.

“We want to provide fire protection and lower fire insurance rates for the community,” McCormick said. “Our goal is to knock the response time down.”

Fire protection for the unincorporated community, located between Ronceverte and the Monroe County line, comes primarily from Ronceverte and Lewisburg, McCormick explained.

He asked the commissioners to issue a letter of need supporting the establishment of a separate fire department for Organ Cave. The residents of the community voted unanimously in favor of starting their own fire company, which already boasts a membership of the required minimum 10 certified firefighters, McCormick added.

He estimated start-up costs will be in the million-dollar neighborhood, assuring the commissioners grant money and donations would fund the project at no cost to taxpayers.

“It’s not an easy task, but it’s something that needs to be done,” McCormick maintained.

Commissioner Brad Tuckwiller questioned whether the county, by issuing a supportive letter, could find itself financially liable for the project somewhere down the road.

“I support your initiative, but I don’t want to get stuck in a million-dollar hole,” he said. The commissioners voted unanimously to issue the letter, with the understanding all fundraising will be the responsibility of the Organ Cave community. The letter will be sent to the state Fire Commission, which is charged with determining if the fire company is needed and, if so, what its geographic boundaries will be.

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