After voluntarily shutting down in March due to outdated equipment discovered during an investigation by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Northfork Volunteer Fire Department reopened Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the fire marshal.
Over the past four months, the department invested in new airpacks — the breathing apparatuses used by firefighters in structural fires — and sent all its trucks away for upgrades and maintenance, said John Adams, who began serving as chief of the Northfork VFD a little over a month ago.
While everything is up-to-date now, Adams said the repairs were pricey, but was uncomfortable naming an exact cost. They were paid for through the department’s general fund, which consists of money granted quarterly to the department by the state, as well as other money fundraised or donated to the department.
In April, for 2018’s first quarter, Northfork VFD was granted about $14,150 by the state Treasurer’s Office, the same amount as nearly every other fire department in the state. For 2018’s second quarter, Northfork VFD is listed as ineligible to receive its quarterly funds — about $12,640 — per a directive from the state fire marshal, due to the department’s violations.