The West Putnam Fire Department is an all Volunteer Organization that protects people living in an area of 62 square miles located in Hawthorne, Florida. We respond to structure fires, brush fires, vehicle fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazmat and medical assist type calls.
Different people volunteer for different reasons. Action-oriented people enjoy the excitement and adrenaline rush that emergency services have to offer. Some see the volunteer fire service as an alternative to ‘driving a desk by day’ by allowing them to ‘drive a fire truck at night’!
Many like the feeling they get when they help people in their time of need and some feel it’s their obligation to serve the community. Yet, others just want to belong to the team. Whatever your motivation, everyone gains the self-satisfaction of being at their best when others are dealing with what is often the worst that life has to offer
Imagine having to prepare yourself to cope with situations that range from structure fires to childbirth to hazardous chemical spills to heart attacks to almost any imaginable emergency in between. This diversity is coupled with the fact that these skills may be needed at any time of the day or night, seven days a week, in any kind of weather, and very often under potentially stressful and emotional circumstances. Yet, these same factors contribute to our profession being so personally rewarding
The bottom line in our business is measured by the loss of life, pain and suffering, and the property damage we have prevented and reduced.
We realize that firefighting is not for everyone, but we believe that volunteering can be. There is plenty of work to be done on or behind the scenes
The personal rewards and satisfaction received from what we do are often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment when you control a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born, compassion for accident victims, and fulfilment from teaching fire safety