One of the most frequent questions asked by the community is: What is the difference between paid versus unpaid fire departments? The answer is simple: money.

• Paid firefighters are hired by the community and paid a salary for their service.
• Volunteer departments, on the other hand, are comprised of individuals who voluntarily give their time and risk their lives to make the community a better place.
• Volunteer departments do receive some support via tax revenues but also rely on the community to provide them with financial resources that go towards the upkeep of “command central” which houses all of the equipment and apparatus’.

This is why community support of volunteer fire companies is so important. Without the support of the community, volunteer fire companies cannot continue to provide effective fire, rescue, and medical service. This is also why these departments are lucky to have the support of so many dedicated professionals who are willing to give so generously of their time.