Right now, the department is working with only two or three responders, and could soon be dissolved and split up among other surrounding districts. The two regular responders hope that doesn't happen.

Halfway Fire Department has three stations, two rescue trucks, a tanker, a pumper, a brush truck and two firefighters.

"When I first became chief, we had probably about 10 responders," said Halfway FIre Chief Bruce Fugate.

That was only three years ago. Raeann Gillette has been with the department more than 20 years and can remember when there about 25 available volunteers.

"It's been really hard because, if I'm the only one there, I can't run the pump and run the end of the hose. It's totally impossible," said Gillette.

"Last month, we had a fire where Raeann responded by herself with the pumper. I got on scene about 20 minutes later," said Fugate.

The department desperately needs more men and women to help with the fires, rescue calls, medical response, storm spotting, and fire safety education.

"Most people think it takes too much time, and the key word is volunteer. You come when you have the time," said Gillette.

Gillette and Fugate both have a lot of reasons that they want to keep the department going. Hundreds of them are just across the street at Halfway schools.

"If it wasn't for us sitting here, it would be a lot longer response," said Fugate.

The department covers about 176 people in the small town but 93 square miles altogether. If Halfway Fire is dissolved, help will be many more miles away.

"You're talking a response time that goes from 10 minutes to 30 or 40 minutes," said Gillette. "What are people willing to risk? Family, friends, neighbors, property, lives?"

The department also needs help in other ways. They've only received about a third of this year's membership dues, and there are multiple repairs that will take more than two pairs of hands.

"This is not Bruce and I's fire department. It is the community's.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter for Halfway can call (417) 445-2575. The department is also in need of newer gear for firefighters. If the department is dissolved, it would have to be split among Pleasant Hope, Central Polk County and Polk Rural fire departments.

Halfway Fire is membership based. If members don't pay their $50 yearly dues, the department can charge $100 to bring a truck, $500 per hour to operate each truck, and $10 per person per hour on scene. The department also says many homeowners' policies will not cover damage from a fire if the household hasn't paid fire department membership dues.