SMITHERS, WV (LOOTPRESS) — The City of Smithers has announced that the West Virginia State Fire Commission (WVSFC) has officially decertified and closed the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD), following a December 3 hearing in Morgantown. City officials, residents, and local businesses expressed sadness and concern over the ruling, which cites public and firefighter safety as the reason for the department’s closure.
Founded in 1948, the SVFD had long served the Smithers community. However, according to information provided to the City, management issues began emerging around 2011 and escalated over the next decade. Between 2011 and 2022, reported challenges — including financial mismanagement, lack of effective leadership and training, and persistent recruitment struggles — became increasingly severe. City officials say these issues grew so extensive that the majority of the department’s long-term Board of Directors resigned in late 2022. The City was not made aware of the resignations or the full extent of the department’s internal problems until months later.
Upon learning of the situation, Smithers officials made efforts to stabilize and rebuild the department. The City brought in highly respected Montgomery Fire Chief Benny Filiaggi, who began mentoring SVFD leadership and guiding restructuring efforts. A new fire chief for Smithers was hired in December 2023, with Filiaggi continuing to provide support until his sudden passing in June 2024 — a loss deeply felt by his family and the firefighting community statewide. Without his mentorship, City officials say the department’s progress began to falter.
Investigation Triggered by Safety Complaint
According to testimony from Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal Scott during the December 3 WVSFC hearing, the Fire Marshal’s Office launched an investigation in spring 2025 after receiving a complaint from the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department’s chief. The complaint alleged that the new SVFD chief responded to a fire scene without any fire hose on the truck.
The investigation ultimately concluded that the department was not viable for continued operation. State code requires a minimum of 20 certified members for a fire department to remain active; SVFD fell short of that threshold. The department’s call-response rate was also reported to be below 40 percent.
Officials emphasized that recruitment challenges are not unique to Smithers. Small towns and rural areas across the country are grappling with declining numbers of volunteer and career firefighters. Factors such as limited or no pay, competition from higher-paying private sector jobs, rigorous training demands, and shifting work-life expectations among younger generations have contributed to shortages nationwide. Smithers faced additional pressure due to the presence of three volunteer fire departments within a four-mile radius, all attempting to recruit from the same small population.
City Thanks Volunteers, Former Board Members, and Community Supporters
In the press release, City officials expressed appreciation for the volunteers who remained with the SVFD and assisted in attempts to rebuild the department in recent years. They also thanked the former Board of Directors for alerting the City to longstanding issues, which they cited as the reason many board members resigned in 2022. Officials extended gratitude to the Smithers City Council, City staff, interim and newly appointed board members, and residents who worked to save the department.
“You tried valiantly,” the City’s statement reads, “but the long-term problems the City inherited were just too severe to solve in the short time we had.”
Fire Coverage for Smithers to Continue
City leaders sought to reassure residents concerned about fire protection, emergency response, and potential increases in insurance premiums tied to ISO ratings. A few former SVFD members have signaled interest in joining the Boomer Volunteer Fire Department, and both the Boomer and Montgomery departments have been assigned to provide fire coverage for Smithers. Both departments hold ISO ratings identical to Smithers’, meaning insurance rates should not be affected by the ISO system.
The City noted that the Boomer VFD’s chief submitted a letter expressing support for the SVFD and concern over its closure, underscoring the regional impact of ongoing recruitment and staffing challenges.
