RDVFD Town Hall focuses on keeping department doors open

The Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department (RDVFD) invited community members to a town hall meeting Friday evening, with President Steve Prewitt presiding and all board members in attendance.

Keeping the department’s doors open and its operations running was the common thread throughout the evening.

“Everything costs money, and it is no secret that costs are continually rising,” Prewitt said. “And yes, our $180,000 insurance bill is a major factor.”

According to Prewitt, the department went seven years without insurance, making it difficult to secure coverage when the department moved to reopen its doors.

“We ran seven years with no insurance, and as a result no one would even consider taking a chance on us,” he said. “The only insurance available to open our doors was high-risk commercial activity. Hence, a $35,000 to $40,000 policy jumped to $180,000.”

Prewitt said the department was initially told it could take three to five years for insurance costs to come down. That estimate has since increased to five to seven years.

“But what is done is done,” Prewitt said. “There is no going back.

“As a result, the department has public financial safeguards in place,” Prewitt explained.           “We have clear directives in-house on who can write and handle checks,” he said. “Two signatures must be on each check. We have a clear separation of financial responsibilities. For example, the person who picks up the checks from the mail cannot write or sign a check.”

The larger challenge, however, remains finding sustainable funding for a volunteer fire department.

“We have limited, dwindling resources to draw from, so we depend a lot on fundraising and volunteerism outside of the firefighters,” Prewitt said. “The department’s expenses include equipment, protective gear, electricity, and ongoing maintenance.

“Fortunately, we have Gabe Dalton, who donates his time to keep things running mechanically,” Prewitt said. “But parts still cost money.”

The department also holds a gaming license, providing another source of revenue. Fundraising efforts have included a successful tractor raffle. The department also recently assisted at the Tok fire, where its firefighters and equipment played a significant role in water hauling.

“We had two tenders down there, and they kept moving and hauling,” Prewitt said. “No one hauled more water, or had a faster return, than our firefighters. They outperformed all the others on site.”

Additional funding has come from several sources. The department received $29,000 in CAP funding from Fort Greely, while Boeing and Doyon also provide financial support. Through Doyon, employees can designate a portion of each paycheck to be contributed to the fire department.

Prewitt also addressed the department’s past financial scandal and the embezzlement that resulted in the loss of approximately $440,000.

“We are basically operating with a new board,” he said. “All past board members were cleared of any wrongdoing regarding the embezzlement.”

Prewitt said former board president Dave Neuburger underwent extensive scrutiny during the investigation but remained with the department and helped get the organization back on its feet and reopen its doors.

“Yes, it was a black eye, but dwelling on it inhibits us from moving forward,” Prewitt said. “We have so many important things to do right now to keep the department operating and going forward.”

Whether the department will ever recover the lost money remains uncertain.

“Will we ever recover any of the $440,000?” Prewitt asked. “We can pursue a civil case, we are not certain if the perpetrator even has any assets. Unfortunately, in these types of situations, the burden is on us to collect.”

For the department, moving forward means more than recruiting firefighters. Prewitt emphasized that volunteers are needed in virtually every aspect of the organization.

“Volunteers are needed in all areas,” he said. “Administrative workers, grant writers, community outreach, bookkeeping – wherever your talent is, we can use you. The last thing we want is to have our current volunteers burn out.”

Prewitt reminded residents that the RDVFD board meets at the Clearwater Fire Station on the third Monday of each month at 6:45 p.m.

“Just come and see what we are all about,” he said. “Learn about the department, how it works. And remember, not all volunteer positions are firefighters.”

In closing, Prewitt said the department would like to hold town hall meets twice a year to keep the community informed and up to date on their local volunteer fire department.

The RDVFD currently has 16 firefighters under the direction of Chief Josh Olson and is overseen by the seven-member board.

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Photo:
The Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department recently held a town hall meeting at the Community Center. Board members are, left to right, Amanda Martinez, Treasurer Dee Spooner, Vice President Amanda Steward, Dave Neuburger, Secretary Katie Bickford, and President Steve Prewitt (standing). Listening to Prewitt speak are Fire Chief Josh Olson (left) and Missouri Olson. Photo by Michele Trainor