CENTRE– McCord’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department is marking National Volunteer Firefighters Day on Tuesday, Aug. 18, with a tribute to those who answer emergencies at any hour.

The observance recognizes men and women who volunteer as firefighters and first responders. These volunteers protect their neighbors while also managing careers, families, farms, businesses, and other daily responsibilities.

For McCord’s Crossroads Fire Chief Rich Lindsey, the day offers an opportunity to recognize the 20 dedicated men and women he serves alongside.

Answering Calls at Any Hour

A message from Cheif Lindsey: 

Volunteer firefighters do not know when the next emergency will occur. A call may come during dinner, in the middle of the night, or while they are at work.

“Emergencies do not happen on a schedule,” Lindsey said. “They happen in the middle of the night, during the workday, on weekends and holidays, and often without any warning.”

When an emergency call comes in, volunteers leave whatever they are doing and respond. The person who needs help may be a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor.

“Being a volunteer firefighter is unlike almost any other form of volunteer service,” Lindsey said.

Those calls also place firefighters in difficult and dangerous situations. They respond to structure fires, vehicle crashes, medical emergencies, hazardous-material incidents, and other calls for help.

The Work Before the Alarm

The public often sees fire trucks leaving the station with lights flashing and sirens sounding. However, that response represents only a small part of the work.

Volunteer firefighters spend many hours training before an emergency ever occurs. They practice fire suppression, rescue work, emergency medical care, and other skills.

In addition, members inspect and maintain their equipment. They check trucks, hoses, breathing equipment, protective clothing, and other tools. That work helps ensure everything functions when lives and property are at risk.

Firefighters also attend department meetings, take part in fire-prevention programs, and support community events. Meanwhile, they must continue meeting their personal and professional responsibilities.

Those duties require time, discipline, and sacrifice. Although volunteers may never receive public recognition for that work, their preparation can determine the outcome of an emergency.

A Service Communities Depend On

Volunteer firefighters provide much of the nation’s emergency fire protection. According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, volunteers make up all or most of the personnel at about 82% of fire departments nationwide.

That reliance is easy to see in rural communities. Smaller departments often work together through mutual-aid agreements when a major emergency requires more personnel or equipment.

For example, crews from four volunteer departments battled a house fire near Gaylesville in May 2025. Firefighters worked through heavy rain as Gaylesville, Cedar Bluff, Broomtown-Rinehart, and Tucker’s Chapel departments responded.

Such cooperation strengthens emergency protection across Cherokee County. It also shows why each trained volunteer matters.

Prepared for Someone’s Worst Day

Firefighters often meet people during frightening and painful moments. Families may face a burning home, a serious wreck, or a medical crisis.

“We often meet people on the worst days of their lives,” Lindsey said.

At those moments, residents depend on firefighters to arrive promptly and prepared. They also expect crews to work together, make sound decisions, and provide the best possible service.

That level of readiness does not happen by accident. Instead, it comes from hundreds of hours of training, equipment maintenance, planning, and teamwork.

“Serving the men and women of the McCord’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department is a humbling and rewarding experience,” Lindsey said.

Honoring Service and Sacrifice

National Volunteer Firefighters Day gives communities a chance to recognize both the emergency response and the work behind it.

Lindsey said he sees the sacrifices his department’s members make each day. He also expressed gratitude for their dedication and professionalism.

“They truly ‘love thy neighbour as thyself,’” Lindsey said, quoting Matthew 22:39 from the King James Version.

Most of all, Lindsey thanked the firefighters for answering calls and making sure the department remains ready.

National Volunteer Firefighters Day offers residents an opportunity to do the same. A word of thanks, a show of support, or an effort to learn more about a local department can remind volunteers that their service matters.

For the men and women who answer the call, the work continues after the observance ends. The next alarm could come at any time. When it does, they will once again leave their homes, families, and daily routines to help someone in need.

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