More details have been released about the decision to close the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department after a state board determined the move was necessary for public and firefighter safety.
Smithers Mayor Anne Cavalier said Monday that the West Virginia State Fire Commission found significant problems within the department, including financial mismanagement, ineffective leadership, inadequate training, and low recruitment and retention.
According to Cavalier, issues within the department date back to 2011, eventually leading to several members of the board of directors resigning in fall 2022. After the extent of the problems became known, the city brought in Montgomery Fire Chief Benny Filiaggi to help stabilize operations and guide a newly hired chief in December 2023. Filiaggi’s unexpected death in June 2024, she said, caused leadership and recruitment efforts to falter once again.
The Fire Commission also determined the department did not meet the state requirement of at least 20 certified members, which may have contributed to its reportedly low 40% response rate.
An investigation into the department’s viability began in 2024 after a complaint from a neighboring fire department alleged that a Smithers fire chief responded to a call without a fire hose on the truck. Following the review, the commission decertified the department, leading to its closure.
Cavalier noted that the challenges facing Smithers are not isolated.
“Sadly, this is not unique to Smithers,” she said. “Firefighter recruitment in rural areas and small towns is significantly down across the nation, with major shortages in both volunteer and career departments.”
She pointed to several factors affecting recruitment nationwide: low or no pay, better-paying private sector jobs, extensive training requirements, and shifting work-life expectations among younger generations. The mayor also noted that Smithers is surrounded by multiple nearby departments, all competing for the same shrinking pool of volunteers.
While acknowledging disappointment about the closure, Cavalier expressed appreciation for those who continued to serve.
“The City of Smithers respects and greatly appreciates the few who did volunteer with the department and who worked with us to try to rebuild and save the department,” she said.
Coverage for Smithers will now be provided by the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department and the Boomer Volunteer Fire Department. Cavalier said some former Smithers volunteers have already expressed interest in joining the Boomer department. All three departments share the same ISO rating, she added, making insurance rate increases unlikely based on that factor alone.
The Smithers Volunteer Fire Department had served the community since 1948.