WEST LIBERTY, Ky. — The Wrigley Volunteer Fire Department is on the verge of closing due to rising equipment costs and a dwindling volunteer base, threatening to increase insurance premiums and response times for nearby residents, according to LEX 18 News.

Chief Drexel Patrick, who has managed both the 519 Volunteer Fire Department and Wrigley Station for 40 years, said the station could close as early as June 30. The department's average volunteer age is 50, older than the national average, according to the National Fire Protection Association, making it difficult to respond to emergencies that require physical stamina.

"All the young people wanted to be firefighters and we had all the volunteers we wanted. Now these young people just don't have time," Patrick said.

The financial pressures are mounting. Patrick said the station spends just over $6,000 annually to remain operational, with insurance costs representing a significant burden. Meanwhile, equipment expenses are substantial — West Liberty Fire Chief Jamie Phipps noted that outfitting a single firefighter can cost $15,000 when accounting for protective gear and other necessary equipment.

The closure would immediately impact residents through higher insurance costs and slower emergency response times. Patrick estimated that homeowners would face approximately $300 more per year in insurance premiums if the station shuts down, as nearby stations would struggle to cover the additional territory.

Both Patrick and Phipps suggested that a county fire tax could provide the reliable funding needed to keep volunteer departments operational. "If all the counties would have a fire tax and everyone pays and no one has to pay a whole lot. It could really get things going," Patrick said.

The situation reflects a broader challenge facing rural volunteer fire departments across Kentucky and the nation, where declining volunteer recruitment and rising operational costs strain already-thin budgets dependent on donations and limited county funding.