One proposal is offering volunteer firefighters a pension-like benefit after 20-years service, a way of thanking them for volunteerism.

The "West Virginia Firefighter Length of Service Act," which has been introduced in the Senate, would create a pension-like system that could reward eligible firefighters with a certain amount of experience a $400 monthly payment.

The bill requires every fire department to contribute $2,000 annually to the fund for at least five years.

Each recipient would be at least 60 and have at least 20 years of active service credit as a volunteer firefighter.

Sen. Dan Foster, D-Kanawha, said "It's more like an insurance product, that provides some stipend for those who have served a certain amount of time."

Legislators have been told the manpower issue is reaching a critical threshold around the state.

There are about 10,000 volunteer firefighters in West Virginia. That's a drop from 12,000 in 2000.

Volunteer fire departments serve about 87 percent of the state.