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Buckhannon fire chief warns House Bill 2866 could force service changes as calls rise
Summary
Buckhannon Fire Chief J. B. Kimble told the City Council April 3 that the department has seen 299 calls year‑to‑date — 55 more than last year — and that a pending state bill, House Bill 2866, could require the city to consider fees, contracting or limiting response beyond city limits.
Buckhannon — Buckhannon Fire Chief J. B. Kimble told the City Council on April 3 that the local department’s call volume is up sharply and that a pending state bill could force changes to how the city provides fire service.
“The BFD's call volume YTD is 299 incidents through 3-31-2025, an increase of 55 incidents compared to the same period in 2024,” Chief Kimble said, noting the department has accepted two untrained volunteers and one trained volunteer in recent weeks as it copes with higher demand. He asked the public for “cooperation and patience” while crews respond to weather-related and other emergencies.
Kimble outlined work under way at the department’s training facility — five instructors, including the chief, were trained on the new burn can and welders will soon build the full structure — and said the department plans to invite neighboring departments to train there.
On legislation, Kimble briefed the council on House Bill 2866, describing three possible outcomes if the bill becomes law: present a First Due Area Fire Fee request to the Upshur County Commission; contract city fire service to the county commission or a fire board; or merge volunteer and full-time firefighters into a municipal department that would limit responses to inside city limits. “If the bill passes, the BFD will have three options,” he said, and he outlined the operational implications of each.
Kimble also flagged a local operational concern: planned closures on South Florida Street for events can hinder outbound movement of large apparatus such as the ladder truck, a point he said the department is monitoring as festival planning continues.
The discussion produced no binding council action; Kimble’s briefing served as an informational report to the council. The council did not vote on any changes tied to HB 2866 at the meeting, which leaves the options and next steps contingent on the bill’s progress at the state level and any required local decisions.
