Fire companies have struggled in recent years with everything from finding volunteers and retaining them to funding that goes toward equipment.

So it was great to see the Ladies Night fundraiser hosted by the North Washington Volunteer Fire Department bringing in some funds to go toward a new tanker truck for the department.

The event was one of many fundraising events that will assist with the purchase of the truck, which is expected to cost about $750,000. The Saturday event drew $9,000 in ticket sales.

The current truck is in poor condition, and event organizer Courtney Baird said it has "met its limit on repairs." She added it can't be welded anymore and would not pass inspection.

Greg Hughes, department treasurer, said the money raised during the event would be added to an amount set aside for a down payment on the tanker truck, which he estimated at $22,000 or more per month.

Every little bit counts, and we hope similar events are able to bring in some additional funding.

Local fire departments across the state have long been struggling with issues of funding and recruitment, and any help they can get is a win for the communities they serve.

A report from the state auditor's office last year found that state aid for fire departments totaled about $72.5 million eight years ago, but dropped to $60 million in 2020.

Few departments in the region are able to pay for staff and, therefore, rely on volunteers. In the 1970s, there were about 300,000 volunteer firefighters across the state, but those numbers have dwindled to 40,000 today.

The need for emergency response increased during the pandemic, but — not surprisingly — local municipalities suddenly found the need to allocate money toward things they previously did not due to COVID-19.

The result has been tighter budgets in many communities. However, the need for manpower and funding for equipment has not decreased.

So, while the Ladies Night event might only be a small piece of what the fire department needs for its new truck, we're glad to see that it was a success.

While the new tanker truck may have a set price, there's no dollar amount you can place on community safety.

We hope the department's future fundraising endeavors are successful, and that community members who can afford to do so help push them closer to their fundraising goal.

— NCD