During the downtown fire of 2007 at the intersection ofMonticello Street and Whitworth Avenue the Brookhaven FireDepartment needed help. Answering the call early that morning, likethey do any and every other call, were members of several volunteerfire departments.

“We have a call, it doesn’t matter what it is, people come outof the woodwork,” said BFD lieutenant operator and Loyd StarVolunteer Fire Department Chief Mark Porter. “We usually have morethan enough help at every call.”

There are eight volunteer fire departments in Lincoln County,about 120 firefighters, comprised of men and women willing toanswer a call to action with as much bravery as any paidprofessional. What they all have in common is a willingness toserve and a dedication to their neighbors.

“Just love of the community, that’s all you can say,” said HogChain Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Hart. “Just dedicated totrying to help other folks out.”

Like modern day Supermen, volunteer firefighters hide under thedisguises of their daytime jobs and daily activities. However, whentheir radio alerts them, they are ready.

“They’re just common people,” said Lincoln VolunteerFirefighters Association Vice President Kirk Douglas and LSVFDpresident. “They are your everyday people that are wanting to helpin the community.”

With no set schedules, just trust that fellow firefighters willarrive where needed, county volunteers are dispatched about 40times a month to fires, accidents, medical runs and everything inbetween.

“Pretty much anything they’ll dial 911 for,” said Hart.

Each volunteer fire department has an elected chief andpresident and the department votes new members into theorganization.

Once a volunteer firefighter, new members undergo training onthe department’s equipment and how to respond to various types ofemergencies. However, certification from the state academy is notrequired.

“We do what training we need to do and we push them to thephysical limits based on the shape they’re in,” said Douglas. “Ifthey can’t handle firefighting, we’ll give them other jobs.”

Douglas said the departments operate on a budget of $35,000 to$40,000 and receive 75 percent of their funding from communitydonations. He also said it costs around $5,000 to outfit afirefighter for duty.

“That money is only to buy new equipment,” Douglas said of thegovernment funding the departments receive.

The Lincoln Volunteer Firefighters Association will be hostingits inaugural Hog Wild Barbeque Cook Off and Family FestivalSaturday in downtown. The event promises to offer plenty of goodeating and fun activities.

Money earned through the fundraiser, which begins at 8 a.m.,will be split among all the volunteer fire departments in LincolnCounty.

“We need everybody to come out. We got a little bit of somethingfor everybody,” said Porter. “We need the support.”

Volunteer firefighters face the unique challenges of springingto action from home rather than a fire station. Also being membersof the communities they serve, it is not uncommon for them torespond to friends and family members’ emergencies.

“It’s an emotional rollercoaster,” said Hart.

Although in the county, volunteers often find themselves workinghose to hose with BFD. County and city firefighters share a type ofbrotherhood, each department lending assistance when needed.

“We’re all in the same boat together,” said Hart. “If anybodyneeds you, they know they can call.”