PERKINSTON — In Stone County, it’s not just career firefighters who race toward danger — volunteers do, too, leaving behind jobs, dinner tables and daily routines when the alarm sounds. 

Anna Mills, a registered nurse and volunteer firefighter, joined the service after a personal emergency.  

“I fully had a medical emergency down on the southwest end (of the county), and it took almost 45 minutes for help to get to me. So, after I got out of the hospital, I started asking around. I talked to the fire chief and several others and found out that there was a big need for volunteers,” she said. 

They are part of a nationwide volunteer fire service facing critical shortages. Across the U.S., the number of volunteer firefighters has dropped from nearly 900,000 in 1984 to under 677,000 in 2021 — while emergency calls have tripled, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. This growing gap increased the necessity for more recruits. 

In Stone County, 73 volunteers help fill that gap — responding to emergencies in a county that spans over 450 square miles. With only one paid fire department in Wiggins, the burden of protecting rural communities lies with local volunteers. 

Medical calls on the rise 

Fires aren’t the only emergencies Stone County’s firefighters handle. Department leaders said medical calls make up the majority of their responses. Volunteer Fire Chief Thomas Muffler said they get about 25 to 50 medical calls in a month, with structure fires averaging just three to four a year. 

Brett Taylor, a volunteer firefighter and paramedic, emphasized the importance of fast medical response.  

“Because of things like … a cardiac arrest, for every minute that person is down and not breathing and doesn’t have a pulse, their chance of survival decreases by about 10%,” he explained. 

Stone County has two full-time ambulances staffed in Wiggins, and response times to the outer edges of the county can be 20 minutes or more. Volunteers, with stations and homes throughout the area, can often arrive in minutes. 

“If somebody stops breathing, instead of it taking 30 to 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, we can start CPR within minutes,” Mills said. 

The growing need for volunteers 

Stone County has seven volunteer fire departments serving the county, but daytime calls present a challenge.

Many volunteers work during the day, leaving gaps in coverage. Chief Muffler, a volunteer firefighter in Stone County for the last 36 years, said he knows how difficult it can be.  

“We’re coming from home or coming from wherever we’re at … you know, some of us come from (a) job. If we’re fortunate enough to have, you know, somebody that has a job that would let you leave,” he said. “Since (Hurricane) Katrina, things have kind of gotten harder and harder.”  

The issue isn’t unique to Stone County. Mississippi relies heavily on volunteers, with more than 9,000 volunteer firefighters statewide. Like in many rural areas, finding recruits in Stone County is a challenge.

“We have been down where you’ve only had five or six people,” said Ian Schairer, assistant fire chief. “The station I was at prior to this one, we put a sign out in front of the building. When we left the area, we flipped the board and that let the public know that, ‘Hey, there are only two people in this fire department that are available for calls because everybody else is at work.’”  

Mark Beckham joined the volunteer fire department when he was 65 years old. He didn’t expect to become a firefighter; for him, it was about being there for his neighbors. 

“Your next family is just across the fence. If they’re in need, go help them,” he said. 

Mississippi recognized the growing issue of recruitment and recently introduced the Length of Service Award Program to reward long-serving volunteers with up to $500 per year — plus a $10,000 retirement bonus for those who serve 20 years. 

This small financial incentive aims to help retain experienced firefighters, but recruitment remains a challenge, officials said. 

Keeping the departments running 

Even though they aren’t paid, volunteer fire departments require funding for gear, equipment and operations. Outfitting a single firefighter with protective gear and training costs more than $20,000, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council.

Stone County Fire Coordinator Todd Cospelich has worked to secure grants, including $427,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for new breathing equipment, but local funding is still limited. 

Stone County, like many small counties, struggles to raise enough money. Some Mississippi counties collect more than $1 million per year in fire tax revenue, while smaller counties like Stone receive only about $87,000. 

To make ends meet, fire departments rely on donations, grants and fundraising events like “Fires and Tires” hosted by the Stone County Fire Department. 

When asked how the community can help, James Spooner, a longtime volunteer and trainer, said he wants people to know there’s a place for everyone. He urges the public to: 

— Volunteer: Fire departments need firefighters, drivers, and support staff. 

— Donate: Local departments rely on community contributions. 

— Advocate: Support increased funding and recruitment efforts. 

  “Don’t ever cut yourself short. You’re always able to do something. If it’s giving out a bottle of water … there’s a lot that everybody can help out with,” he said. 

Muffler called volunteer firefighters the backbone of emergency response in rural America. He said they do this not for money or recognition but because their neighbors depend on them. 

“You got to look at, you know, not the person’s outer being. Look at their heart inside of them. That’s what makes a volunteer — it’s their heart. They’re willing to give up just about anything and everything to help their fellow man,” Muffler explained. 

For more information on joining, visit your local fire station or contact the Stone County Fire Coordinator’s office at 662-983-8580 or contact them on their respective page.