Union Mills Volunteer Fire Department, Inc
Just a few financial facts
Cost to equip one firefighter with coat, pants, boots, helmet,
gloves and pager.... $2000.00
One self-contained breathing apparatus [one firefighter]
for interior work: $3200.00 to $3600.00
Annual insurance cost: $12000.00
Annual Utilities: $3500.00
Annual Truck: Payment: $21,101.
A proposed yearly opeating budget is presented to the County Board of Commissioners, who have final approval of the district tax rate. This proposed budget is based on the routine operating expenses, such as insurance, utilities, maintenance, loan payments, etc., along with future needs of the department. The tax rate is set based on this budget. A certified audit of all expenses are presented to the Board of Commissioners each year. The financial year runs from July 1 of the current year until June 30 of the next.
The above is only a few cost associated with operation, others include building and equipment maintenance, fuel cost, replacement of obsolete or damaged equipment, miscellaneous department supplies, and funds set aside for future truck replacement. Purchase of quality equipment provides for longer service life with less maintenance cost, thus being the better investment for the long term. Because of careful planning and wise use of funds, the new building constructed in 1997 was paid for when complete [no borrowed money]. Also during that same year, a $35000.00 down payment made toward the purchase of the l997 Pumper Truck left a $98,000 balance financed through a lease-purchase agreement with a 5.89 percent interest rate.
From the 2000-2001 budget year, the department purchased six new self-contained breathing apparatus at an investment of slightly over $18,000. We were at that time using equipment more than twenty years old, these units are still available as reserve equipment.
From the 2001-2002 year budget we purchased new Turn Out Gear, [the protective coat and pants used for interior structure firefighting]. Many of the crew had gear passed along from previous users, and most gear exceeded 10 years of use. The cost of the upgrade was slightly over $18,000.
Also during this period we purchased each crew member a set of Wild Land Fire Protective Clothing. A matching state grant left the department paying $1100.
From the 2003-2004 year budget we have purchased three additional Self Contained Breathing Apparatus for use on our reserve pumper truck. This purchase will cost 9900 dollars.
We will also replace all radio communication equipment, including alert pagers. Changes in FCC regulations require us to replace all two way equipment. Pagers are being replaced due to age and condition. These changes will cost slightly over 11,000 dollars. We received a grant to cover half of the radio equipment purchase.
The 2006/2007 budget year brought about the purchase of a 2006 Pumper-Tanker at a cost of 178 thousand dollars plus the cost of necessary loose equipment. 75 thousand dollars of this amount was financed at 4.9 percent for four years. Also during that year we purchased a used 1999 Dodge truck and equipped it as a Brush Unit.
During 2008 we did an upgrade of our Breathing Apparatus with the purchase of four additional SCBA with voice amp and spare cylinders. This allows six units on each pumper. These SCBA were Scott AP-75 2.2. Also added this year is a combination deck gun/ground monitor for our first out pumper.
The Corporation provides Workers Compensation Insurance and a supplemental accident and sickness policy to protect the firefighter who may be injured in the line of duty. The Corporation carries replacement value insurance for buildings, apparatus, and portable equipment used for firefighting. The Corporation provides for membership in the NC State Firemen's Association, which offers opportunity for educational scholarships for firefighters and their dependents, as well as educational assistance for dependents of firefighters killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.Firefighters are eligible for State and Federal Public Safety Officers line of duty death benefit, when they have met the required hours of meeting, training and/or drills.
Property owners within a rated fire protection district receive a reduction on their fire and lightening insurance premium. This reduction is approximately 15 percent. This reduction applies to those within the 5 mile drive from the firehouse. Plans are being made to extend this district to 6 miles drive distance. Fire protection is provided to those outside the rated fire districts within the county; funds are provided through a special taxing district and contract with the county government. 
