The Town of Newton's fire department history enjoys an interesting look into the past, and the Hose Co. No. 3, a relatively new kid on the block, was no different.

All local histories of the Newton Fire Department appear to commence with the same beginning. "Once upon a time, prior to the legal formation of a fire department, there were 14 leather buckets hanging on a pole in the basement of the Court House in Newton, that constituted the entire town's fire protection." It was from this humble beginning that the fire department evolved into today's fire protection, which includes three firehouses and a fire museum.

Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Terry Kelley said recent numbers show that nearly half of the 1,200 annual call Company 10 responds to take firefighters to Staunton addresses.

Should the city not negotiate, Kelley said, then Augusta County will be forced to close the station and shift the 15 career firefighters to other county fire stations.

“They’re trying to hook me up with some state help, state funding to get that in place. They’re supposed to be making some phone calls this afternoon, and I hope that I’ll hear from somebody,” Autry said.

The fire chief set up an online donation page at GoFundMe.com as he waits to hear about insurance and aid from state agencies.

Causey said he thinks there will be some sort of help coming from state emergency funds, but he doesn’t know what may be available from funds previously established for flooding and wildfire relief.