Spotsylvania pays some volunteers for fire and rescue service

Date published: 12/28/2008

BY DAN TELVOCK

Some Spotsylvania County fire and rescue volunteers are paid as much as $6,499 a year for their work.

While some fire and rescue systems in the area offer minor tax breaks to volunteers, Spotsylvania is the only one that pays them. And one of the county’s three volunteer departments decided not to do it, instead using the money for equipment and training.

Some Spotsylvania supervisors were startled by the amount paid and the hours worked by volunteers. They have begun to question how they are going to fund certain core services, such as public safety and education, without a tax increase.

“The amounts are surprising,” said Supervisor Emmitt Marshall. “I have enough concern that I think the Board of Supervisors should discuss not only how the money is spent but how these people accumulate enough time to draw that kind of money. It might be OK, but it might not.”

The money comes from a “revenue-recovery” program that bills insurance companies when fire and rescue personnel respond to emergencies. The county receives about $2 million annually from the program.

Fredericksburg.com – WILL VOLUNTEER PAY CONTINUE? PLANNED UPGRADES.