Volunteer firefighters are needed for fire station number 3 in Rural Fire Protection District No. 1 in western Sequoyah County, and those interested are urged to attend an upcoming meeting.

Bill "Bear" Tinning, volunteer firefighter, is one of only two volunteer firefighters at station 3, located close to his home off Moonshine Road between Gore and Vian.

Tinning said while firefighters come from other stations in the district to help fight fires in that area, it usually takes time for them to get there.

Tinning said the department needs all the volunteers they can get, adding that the station he works at needs at least six volunteers.

The district's next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 14 at fire station number 1 on U.S. Highway 64 next to the water department and across from old Carlile School. Tinning said all those interested in volunteering with the fire district may attend.

Tinning said those interested must be healthy and at least 18 years old. He said training meetings are held once a month, and additional training sessions are occasionally available.

Tinning said when he began volunteering, he was one of the youngest firefighters. The older men have since retired and most of the young ones have moved away, he said.