WATCH: Rising fuel costs strain volunteer fire departments nationwide

ABC News
April 13, 2026
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2 min read

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The Bottom Line

Rising fuel costs are straining volunteer fire department budgets, impacting services and recruitment.

How This Affects You

Your local emergency services may be impacted as rising fuel costs reduce volunteer fire departments' ability to respond and recruit.

AI Summary

Fire chief James Pollock explained how rising fuel costs are straining volunteer fire departments across the nation. These higher prices are significantly squeezing departmental budgets, making it harder for these essential services to operate. Consequently, the financial strain is slowing recruitment efforts for volunteer firefighters. This situation ultimately impacts the ability of these departments to effectively manage emergency responses.

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