By Linda Russell
KY3 News

STRAFFORD, Mo. — If you had an emergency, you'd probably dial 911. In many cases, some of the first people on scene would be firefighters. But when those firefighters are volunteer, it's getting tougher and tougher for them to respond to your emergency.

With gas prices close to $4 a gallon, you can imagine how much volunteer firefighters spend, often driving pickups with poor gas mileage to the fire station, sometimes several times a day, and doing it all volunteer.

Lt. Fred Osbourn has been a volunteer firefighter for 17 years, the past four with Strafford. Years ago, things were different. 

Full Story: Department taking steps to save money on gas