Loudendale Volunteer Fire Department is one of the first lines of defense if there is ever an emergency in or around Kanawha State Forest. Eyewitness News said low numbers of firefighters in the department has been an issue in the past but there’s been a recent surge in volunteers signing. Less than a year ago the department had six volunteers covering the area, today they have over 20 firefighters. With the increase in numbers it has left the department with a need for more bunker gear for each firefighter. They held a fundraiser last weekend to help raising $40,000.