Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Fire Department: 112 years of volunteerism

Joe Heath, captain of the Prescott Fire Department, has been a volunteer firefighter for 27 years, following a tradition of community service set by other men in his family. And hes not alone. Areas all over Nevada County have fire protection because of volunteers willing to put their lives at risk for neighbors - and strangers - in times of need.

Heath said many of the firefighters in the Prescott department have fathers, uncles, cousins and even grandfathers who also chose to serve their communities. There are 16 volunteers in the department - a number set by the bylaws of the organization. The department was established on Dec. 14, 1895. There have been some changes through the years. There is now a second fire station to eliminate the possibility of having equipment stranded on the wrong side of the railroad tracks or losing precious moments going around a train. Heath said theres a change in volunteers as well.

Years ago, we always had people willing to serve, he said. Now everybody is busy.

Any volunteer who responds to an emergency is eligible for a $25 payment - sometimes thats not even enough to pay the cost of going to the fire and the ruined clothes. The firefighters are still classed volunteers because there are no full-time firefighters on the payroll.

Heath said some people volunteer because they expect excitement.

Its not all bells and whistles, he said. Its a lot of dirt and smoke and soot.

And sometimes, its worse.

Heath and other volunteers said they dread the middle of the night house fire most. Some say they have woke up to wonder if they heard the tone or if they dreamed it. The reason they get up when that tone goes off in the middle of the night is twofold - they want to be of service to the community but they say they also dont want to let the other firefighters down. Because the department is manned by volunteers, theres no guarantee that all will be available to respond. Those who might be tempted to ignore a call say they want to do their share.

Even more traumatic than the middle of the night calls, are the calls that involve deaths. Heath said he has responded to many fatalities through the years.

I can close my eyes and see the victims, he said.

The reality of volunteering is sometimes just too much for recruits. Heath said some have volunteered only until their first call, then realized that it wasnt something they could do.

The deaths are even more traumatic in a small community.

It could be somebody you sit beside in church on Sunday, he said.

But the fact that it could be a neighbor who is in need of help drives Heath and the other firefighters to continue to give of their time and energy.

I live here, said Robert Loe.

Loe said the community has been good to his family.

This is a way of giving back a little bit.

And most say volunteering is a way of serving their community.

This is something we can do, Heath said. Its something were capable of doing.

Heath said that as a young volunteer, the adrenaline rush pushed him to the scenes. Thats changed over the years but he said hes always anxious to do whatever he can when the fire department is call on.

This community is our community, Heath said. These are our friends and neighbors. We do this to help people, whether we get anything out of it or not.

Heath said that the reason for volunteering can easily be summed up in three words.

We live here.