Chances are, like many people, you're feeling the pinch in your wallet with the sky-rocketing price of gas. It's at or above three dollars a gallon at many stations throughout Eastern Kentucky and expected to get higher. But could it affect the way firefighters respond to your home if it was on fire?

It may seem bad now, but with experts predicting we could see prices as high as $4 dollars per gallon. One volunteer fire department says they've taken a hard hit with the rising gas prices, and could see some difficulty serving the community.

The Keavy Fire Department typically fights about 90 fires per year in and around the community but Firefighter Ronnie Bales says the price of gas could affect that service.

"It could mean that we may not respond as much equipment. We may eventually have to take some equipment plumb out of service. In order to operate with smaller numbers," Bales said.

And that has some Keavy residents worried about their safety.

"It's scary you know. I've got five kids and if something did happen, I don't want my children to die or anything because gas is $3 dollars per gallon," said Keavy resident Sherri Scott.

While everyone is feeling the strain, Bales says the high prices could affect the volunteer fire fighters personally, especially those with a long commute to the station.

"It also could affect your personnel response, because they're responding, it's costing money out of their pockets," he said.

The largest fire truck here at the fire department holds about 70 gallons of gasoline, but Bales jokes about the fuel efficiency.

"It's great. It's about six to seven miles per gallon and some of them may not be that good," Bales said.

Bales says other fire departments in the area have held raffles and other events hoping to bring in a bit of extra cash for their department. He hopes the fire department will never need to cut back their efforts to serve the community, but is unsure what the future brings.