ROSTRAVER CENTRAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT OFFICIALS WANT TO SEE STIPEND PAYMENTS CONTINUE

Officials with the Rostraver Central volunteer fire department say they want to see stipend payments for firefighters continue. The station is one of the 60 in Westmoreland County that have been supported by grants from FEMA, but those funds are set to run out next year. The money has been able to offer a small incentive for volunteers to pick up additional shifts and have someone available for calls more often, according to Rostraver Central Deputy Fire Chief Justin Shawley. Stipends and other perks have been used to help recruit and retain crews at a time when Pennsylvania and other states have seen participation plummet for the volunteer fire service.