The Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department is preparing to hold an annual event in the community, which serves as the biggest fundraiser and recruitment event for the year.
Many volunteer fire department across the state and nation struggle with staffing and funding, but the Tyler Mountain Fire Department said the other challenge they face in their community of Cross Lanes is the population size of 10,000 people. "I don't care what fire department you are talking about they are low staffed during the day because people have full-time jobs," Lt. Elliott Tawney of the Tyler Mountain Vol. Fire Department said.
From crashes to fires, the Tyler Mountain Assistant Chief Jeff Thaxton said the department responds to 800 to 1,000 calls a year.