Follow the links under "related stories" to read part one and other information.

Carroll County could potentially lose one of its volunteer fire departments in the coming years if funding does not improve, and emergency services cuts are possible, according to officials of the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association.

"We've had a couple departments notify us that they are in trouble," said Doug Alexander, CCVESA president. "They don't know how they're going to be able to maintain the same level of service."

All 14 of the county's volunteer fire stations are members of CCVESA. One of those companies recently informed the association that it will be in "severe financial straits in the next couple years," Alexander said. Alexander declined to name the department because its staff asked him not to, he said.

"They don't want to throw a panic into the community," he said.

The association is also not proposing service cuts yet, but Alexander said, "The possibility of service adjustments exist ... whether it's a lot, a little or none at all."

The decision hinges on a domino effect, he said. For one thing, the association is waiting to see how the county is able to absorb state budget cuts, and how they might affect fire and rescue funding.

The Board of County Commissioners funded the association at a level of $6.3 million this fiscal year -- an increase of just a tad more than one half of one percent compared to fiscal 2009. Also, the county provides $3.7 million for paramedics and emergency services.

The rest of the association's funding comes from some municipalities' contributions, grants and fundraisers through individual departments, Alexander said.

Even volunteer fire companies have administrative and professional staff positions.

Neal Roop, CCVESA liaison, said in salaries alone for 2008, the association had a $1.5 million shortfall that companies had to pay through billing and fundraisers. That figure did not include insurance and benefits, he said.

If any volunteer station were forced to close due to finances -- or any other reason -- the Carroll County Emergency Services Master Plan helps guide officials to react, Alexander said.

"We have some measures put in place to cover their area or provide coverage," he said.

One measure would be to have volunteers step up and fill the gap, but the number of volunteers in the county have decreased through the years, he said.

"We still have them, and they're still very active, but to cover up staffing that has been downgraded is going to be difficult," he said.

If cuts were to happen, residents might have to wait a few extra minutes for help, he said.

"Some of it will be very obvious," he said. "Some will not be noticed at all."

Hooks, ladders and dollars

On the other side of the ledger, the association is hoping to boost its funding sources without tapping into government.

But it needs government help to start.

This coming year, the association will again request that the Carroll County Delegation to the General Assembly submit a gaming bill that would allow table games, such as roulette and card games, to be held in fire halls for fundraisers, Alexander said.

The bill did not make it out of the delegation last year.

"We can't get it off the ground to save our backsides, but we're coming back with it again," he said.

"Hopefully, that would be another type of fundraiser that we could have to provide a different funding source, different from what we have," he said.

The bill will not receive the support of delegation chairman Sen. Larry Haines (R-Dist. 5). Haines told The Eagle that he is opposed to any type of gambling expansion in Carroll County.

"I don't want to see Little Las Vegas come to Carroll County," he said.

Haines added that he does not think gambling will ever pay the bills that organizations hope they will pay.

"I don't believe the expansion of gambling is the solution to funding issues, and it never will be," he said.

Haines said the fire departments can rely on their other fundraisers and the donations from Carroll residents.

Existing fundraisers, from dinners to carnivals, have not produced as much money as in years past, Alexander said.

Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company's fundraising revenue declined by 14 percent this year, while another company --again, which Alexander did not name -- saw a decrease of 50 percent, he said.

Part of the reason for the decline is likely the economy, he said, but perhaps some people are tired of traditional fundraisers.

Departments hold a variety of events as fundraisers. For instance, Lineboro Volunteer Fire Department hosts its annual Bedlam in the Boro haunted house with carnival games.

Carnivals provide the largest income source for most departments each year, though Alexander said there's a catch with that strategy:

"You're basing the majority of your annual budget on the weather," he said, noting that if it rains, the budget takes a hit.

That's why Alexander hopes a gaming bill will provide a non-weather dependent source of funds.

Without new revenue streams, emergency services will either have flat funding or a decrease next year, Alexander said, and could see levels back down to 2008 levels.

Another option will be to have the county operate fire departments, but he said that's unlikely in his lifetime.

"It's a tough call," he said.

Roop said it's better for the fire companies and their employees to stay with the structure CCVESA has because they are a part of it already, where their power in decisions is reduced when county government is in charge.

Regardless, departments cannot continue to operate like they have, Alexander said.

"Things have got to change dramatically on both sides -- government-wise and corporation-wise -- if we're going to survive," he said.

What will Carroll County do to provide adequate emergency medical services during the next year?

"It's a question that quite frankly, has not been answered yet," Alexander said.

Carroll's Fire and Rescue Future

Last week: Association has a plan for future of emergency services in Carroll County, but can government afford it?

This week: Some county stations are in tough fiscal straights, and the fire association is seeking new ways to raise money.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Share your opinion on the future of Carroll's fire and rescue service below.

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