When you call 911 to report a medical emergency or structure fire, many times volunteer firefighters gear up and head to the call to provide aid.

That person may have worked a full shift at their job the day before, possibly just laying their head on the pillow. But he or she still grabs their keys, shoes and heads out the door to assist the community. Not everyone knows this, but volunteer firefighters are just that, unpaid personnel that still undergo training to ensure they can help protect lives and property.

But there’s another service volunteer fire departments provide to the community, lower fire insurance premiums.

This is achieved by obtaining a better fire rating through an audit by the Mississippi State Rating Bureau.

By assessing the fire trucks, breathing apparatuses, and a variety of other equipment used by the volunteers of the department, in addition to a plethora of other factors, the Bureau can determine the level of protection that agency provides. In order to become a volunteer firefighter, these men and women must undergo a level of training and show a determination to respond to calls when they can.

A record of the calls responded to is also recorded by the department and inspected by the Bureau, demonstrating that the department is active. To some, being a volunteer firefighter might seem like an exciting way to help the community.

While it certainly comes with an adrenaline rush, it also means that these people will have to get up in the middle of the night to provide assistance to these emergency calls.

It takes a special dedication to be a volunteer firefighter.

We commend each and every one of these dedicated volunteers who give up part of their daily lives to protect Pearl River County’s people and property and for their dedication to try to get the best possible rating they can.