05/11/2026
🚨 PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE 🚨
The East Lynn Volunteer Fire Department would like to address recent concerns and rumors regarding the closure of our substation located in Dunlow, WV.
After careful consideration, the membership of East Lynn Volunteer Fire Department voted to close our Dunlow substation due to several ongoing challenges, including:
• Rising utility costs• Increased fuel expenses• Higher insurance premiums• Limited funding• Lack of volunteers in the Dunlow community• Mechanical issues with apparatus and equipment
It takes far more than just a few individuals to operate a fire department. Maintaining trained personnel, safe and functional equipment, and compliant facilities requires significant time, money, and community support.
When East Lynn Volunteer Fire Department assumed responsibility for the former Dunlow Fire District, we did so to ensure that the residents of Dunlow and surrounding communities continued to receive fire and rescue protection.
At that time, the department invested thousands of dollars to bring the station and equipment into compliance with state requirements. This included:
• Recovering one fire truck from impound that had been held by a former mechanic• Repairing another apparatus with major pump and fuel system issues• Restoring equipment and vehicles to operational status• Bringing the station into compliance with applicable standards
All equipment and apparatus were legally transferred to and are titled and insured in the name of East Lynn Volunteer Fire Department.
Due to the lack of volunteers, health issues among current members, and the increasing cost of operating a second station, all department-owned equipment and vehicles have been relocated to our main station in East Lynn. This equipment remains available and in service to protect both East Lynn and Dunlow.
đźš’ FIRE PROTECTION FOR DUNLOW WILL CONTINUE đźš’
There are false rumors suggesting that East Lynn Volunteer Fire Department is abandoning the Dunlow area. This is absolutely not true.
We remain committed to serving the Dunlow community. In fact, we have offered to work with neighboring departments, including Kermit Volunteer Fire Department, to ensure the fastest and most effective response possible.
Through Wayne County’s mutual aid system, the 911 Center dispatches the closest mutual aid departments available to emergencies. This system improves response times and ensures that adequate personnel and equipment are available when needed.
🚨 REGARDING THE RECENT SXS ACCIDENT 🚨
There have also been false statements regarding a recent side-by-side accident near the East Lynn Campground.
To clarify:
• The incident occurred on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property near the campground entrance.• East Lynn personnel did not take an hour or longer to respond.• Our Dunlow substation was toned inadvertently due to a cellular GPS location error.• A drone was requested to provide aerial support, including LED lighting and thermal imaging, which are valuable tools during nighttime and wooded search and rescue operations.
🚒🚨EQUIPMENT STORAGE AND REPAIRS
Some photos have circulated showing department equipment parked at a member’s residence. This is accurate; however, these vehicles are currently out of service for mechanical repairs.
To reduce costs, many repairs are completed by our own members and volunteers. Once these vehicles are fully operational, they will be returned to service at our East Lynn station.
The donated side-by-side rescue vehicle remains in service and continues to respond to trail rescues, brush fires, and incidents in areas inaccessible to larger apparatus.
❤️ WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS ❤️
Every member of East Lynn Volunteer Fire Department serves without pay. Our firefighters leave their homes, jobs, family gatherings, and even their beds in the middle of the night to help neighbors they may have never met.
Not every call can be answered immediately by every member, as volunteers also work full-time jobs and have family responsibilities.
Running a fire department takes an entire community—not just a handful of dedicated individuals.
We sincerely thank everyone who supports our department and understands the challenges volunteer fire departments face every day. Our mission remains unchanged: to provide the best possible fire and rescue protection to the communities we proudly serve.
Respectfully,
East Lynn Volunteer Fire Department!
