Leon County’s volunteer fire departments need your skills | Opinion
When most people think about volunteering with their local volunteer fire department, they picture flashing lights, fire trucks and firefighters rushing into dangerous situations.
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Those heroes are certainly part of the story, but they are far from the whole story.
Across Leon County, six volunteer fire departments serve as an essential part of our community’s public safety network. Day and night, volunteers respond to fires, medical emergencies, vehicle crashes, severe weather events, and other calls for help. They stand ready when their neighbors need them most.
What many residents do not realize is that volunteer fire departments need far more than firefighters.
We need people.
We need men and women from every background, every profession and every stage of life who want to serve their community in meaningful ways.
Yes, we need firefighters and emergency medical responders willing to answer the call. We need individuals interested in becoming certified first responders, EMTs, and firefighters. Training is available and volunteers gain valuable skills while making a direct impact on public safety.
But not everyone has to wear turnout gear to make a difference.
Volunteer fire departments are nonprofit organizations that rely on strong leadership, community engagement, and operational support. We need board members who can help guide our organizations and ensure they remain financially strong. We need accountants, attorneys, business leaders, and retirees willing to lend their expertise.
We need community relations professionals who can help tell our story. We need fundraisers who can assist with events and donor outreach. We need people who can help manage social media, write newsletters, coordinate community programs, and strengthen connections with residents.
We need auxiliary members who support responders and help keep our organizations running smoothly behind the scenes.
Simply put, there is a role for nearly everyone.
The needs are growing. Leon County continues to expand, and emergency call volumes continue to increase. At the same time, volunteerism has declined across the country. Like many community organizations, volunteer fire departments are feeling that impact.
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Yet the value of volunteer fire service has never been greater.
Volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year to help protect lives and property throughout Leon County. They provide a level of community-based service that strengthens neighborhoods while helping stretch public resources further. Many volunteers build lifelong friendships, develop leadership skills, and discover a sense of purpose from serving others.
In an era when many people are searching for meaningful ways to make a difference, volunteer fire service offers exactly that opportunity. Whether your skills are in emergency response, finance, communications or fundraising, your talents can have a direct impact on the safety and well-being of our community.
You do not have to be a firefighter to serve. You simply must be willing to help.
We encourage residents to learn more, ask questions and discover where their talents fit.
Want to learn more?
Leon County’s six volunteer fire departments operate as independent nonprofit organizations, each with its own leadership, governance and operations. Leon County government supports each department, helping these community-based organizations provide fire and emergency services.
Contact your local volunteer fire department to learn how you can get involved or go to LeonCountyFL.gov/VFD.
Board member Nanette Schimpf, APR, CPRC, and Fire Chief James Pollock are volunteers with Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department here in Leon County.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County’s volunteer fire departments need your skills | Opinion
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Reporting by Nanette Schimpf and James Pollock, Your Turn / Tallahassee Democrat
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 5:02 AM.
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