A message from the Blair Volunteer Fire and Rescue:

Being a volunteer firefighter is about much more than responding when the pager goes off. BVFD members dedicate countless hours to training, meetings, community events, standby assignments, continuing education, and certification courses, all while balancing careers, families, and everyday life. Members are constantly working to better themselves and sharpen their skills so they’re prepared when the community needs them most.

You’ll also notice an A, B, and C shift listed for every day on the calendar (August snippet in the image, full image on BVFD social media). BVFD is still 100% volunteer. Earlier this year, they adopted a three-shift model similar to systems being used by other departments in our area.

BVFD membership is divided as evenly as possible among three shifts, with each shift assigned responsibility for overnight coverage on a rotating basis. This shift schedule is specifically for the overnight hours and helps ensure members are ready to respond while also giving volunteers more opportunities for adequate rest.

Since putting the new system into place, it has worked amazingly well! And, as always, when additional help is needed, BVFD members continue to step up for one another and for Blair. The calendar is just a snapshot of the commitment BVFD volunteers make each month and it doesn’t even include the emergency calls that come without an invitation or a spot on the calendar.

To all the BVFD members: THANK YOU for the time, training, missed evenings, late nights, and dedication you give to our community.