Gas Boycott

Its been a few months since weve seen gas prices this high, but over the past year, prices going up is like a broken record. Most of us are able to hold off as long as we can to fill up, but the cost is hitting a volunteer fire department hard. The sound of an engine running is the sound of money going down the drain these days with gas prices so high. Most of us let the engine light come on before filling up but thats not an option for the 25 volunteer members of the Henderson Rescue Squad. "If a truck needs gas we get it. We cant wait two or three days, says Chief Bryant Woodard. Because when most of us park our car and use it sparingly when we cant afford gas the rescue squad has to drive and when they get where theyre going the trucks stays running. "If its hot in the summer we keel the AC running in the truck so they have a cool place to go." They have to fill up on boats too. With 100 miles of river in the county theyre using those just as much as the trucks. They also have generators and chainsaws to fill up with gas. With so much to equipment to fill and prices so high the cost gas has doubled. "Two years ago our fuel bill was about 1,500 dollars. This year it will be over 3,000 dollars." The five trucks, three boats and everything else to fill up arent the only concern they also have to fill up their own cars that they use to get around in. Volunteers often drive themselves to an emergency. They also have one meeting and one training session a month to get to - all this is on top of their regular commutes to and from work. "Thats all out of their own pocket." When most volunteers are volunteering their time these guys are also volunteering money for gas. "Were not in it for the money. Were in it because its the passion we have." So no matter how much it costs to fill up you can be sure the volunteers will be there. Theres not threat of cuts for the volunteers. While their personal budgets may be a little tighter all their funds come from the city, county and donations from people like you.