Volunteer Fire Departments rely heavily on fundraisers to operate daily.
Fall Branch Volunteer Fire Department receives $100,000 every year from Washington County, but need an average of $225,000 to operate. That leaves $125,000 for the firefighters to come up with through fundraisers and donations.
Their biggest money maker is their annual fireworks stand during the summer, bringing in $15,000 - $20,000 every year. But with a permanent fireworks store coming to Sullivan County, people may start shopping there instead.
Volunteer Firefighter Troy Hood says, "Its going to effect our fireworks sales probably tremendously. We sale fireworks for the Fourth of July and also for New Years Eve and I'm afraid its going to have a huge impact on our sales."
But Fire Chief Roger Phillips says they will find another way to make the money and he trusts in the community support. "We keep trying and advertising that we're here. A lot of people come to us because we are a fire department and know exactly what it goes for. It helps the community that we're in."
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