Neighbors helping neighbors. Neighbors helping strangers. Banding together for strength and safety, volunteers help the stranded, aid the injured, find the displaced, and comfort the lost. The wonderful spirit of volunteerism that pervades the American people has been a universal spark, lighting bright ideas that transform values into standards.

Volunteerism is evident every day, though we may not notice. We may take for granted the operation of the South Montgomery Fire Station headquartered in Dublin, Alabama. Nowhere is the volunteer spirit more evident than in the 180 square mile radius served by the South Montgomery Volunteer Firefighters.

It all began in 1978, when a few citizens working closely with the Alabama Forestry Commission, saw the importance of creating a working fire station and crew in the area. Funding comes from state grants, and a portion from ad valorem tax. Both the Ramer and Pine Level water departments allow for voluntary donations when new customers sign up for service.

These volunteer firefighters are well trained, extremely disciplined men and women who work diligently that they might perform flawlessly. They come in all sizes and ages. Chris Jeffers, Junior Volunteer Firefighter, is 16 years old. Marcus Champlin, at age 84, serves as Safety Monitor.

There are thirty-three volunteer firefighters trained and ready to operate four full pumper trucks, three tankers, two rescue trucks, one service truck and one brush truck. They are trained, equipped and determined to protect this expansive area from misfortune. From stamping out a small brush fire before it gets ‘loose’, to fighting major blazes.

The current roster names David Miles, Chief; David Parker, Assistant Chief; and Terry Stone, Captain. Their responsibilities include making sure every member gets proper training and appropriate practice. Serving a wide area, their assignment encompasses the areas east of Pine Level and South to LaPine, and anywhere else they might be called to work. The preparedness and readiness of these outstanding volunteers provide protection of property and a higher degree of personal security.

For some, volunteering with the South Montgomery Firefighters is a family affair. There are usually from six to eight women firefighters, often working along side their husbands.

As a volunteer, one does not fight every single fire. Generally speaking, when the Sheriff radio sounds code 10-84, each volunteer stops to respond to the call. Some, equipped with scanners, already know where the threatening situation and may go directly to the scene, while others head to the station. If the situation is much worse than expected, backups may be called from Rolling Hills or Snowdoun.

It’s not easy work. It can be strenuous—with a fireman’s gear alone weighing at least fifty pounds. Rarely is a firefighter burned, but smoke inhalation, exhaustion and occasionally stress-related heart attacks are always a possibility.
In a typical week, the unit is called out three to four times---some serious, some not so serious, some false alarms. No matter the call, they always roll. Meetings are held every other Thursday, and in the alternate weeks, training sessions.

Notwithstanding their emergency readiness, their very presence helps in lowering insurance costs. The location of such a unit in a neighborhood plays a role in the setting rates paid by home and business owners.

Several team members are bona-fide EMT trained paramedics who can offer first aid as needed. In-house training is required for all members. Some receive official certification, such as that earned by Captain Stone ( who is employed by MonCre telephone and also serves on the Pine Level Water Board). A certification course has been adjudged to be on the same level as college courses.

On the agenda is completion of another station in Ramer on Hickory Grove Road. Another, at Davis Crossroads, is a joint venture with the Rolling Hills Fire Department.

Captain Stone comments that monetary contributions are appreciated, and may be sent to South Montgomery Fire Department, PO Box 116, Ramer, Alabama, 36069.

What would our nation be without the 59 million Americans who volunteered their time and talents last year? Recognizing those volunteers as a national resource, President George W. Bush recently asked each American to volunteer 4000 hours during the rest of their lives, commenting, “This is a time for all Americans to be active citizens, not spectators.”

A lifetime of volunteer service has already been given by the South Montgomery Volunteer Firefighters. We owe them a debt of gratitude.