VIDEO: The Taylor County Commissioners Court is currently holding its budget workshops at time of publication. Gary Young of the Ecca Fire Department spoke on behalf of the Taylor County Fire Committee requesting more funding for updated equipment and other unfunded mandates. His department and departments across Taylor County are always struggling for basic needs. Young told commissioners his department cannot even afford to send its volunteers to the fire academy. “People need to know that when they leave an incorporated city such as Abilene–that have paid fire protection–if you’re involved in a motor-vehicle accident, medical emergency, whatever, you’re in the hands of a volunteer fire department somewhere, and a vast majority of the state of Texas is covered by volunteers,” Young said.