volunteers take pride in helping community

By Brooke Stevenson    
While the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department has many dedicated volunteers, they could always use some extra help.
    The department is made up of 60 active volunteers who cover calls in three counties across approximately 95 square miles.
    “The SVFD is always looking for volunteers to come into the station and help out in any way they can,” said volunteer Kevin Nunn.
    He added that those who volunteer don’t necessarily need to respond to calls. The department needs help with anything from fixing copy machines to managing its computer system.
    “People want to know how they can contribute, and it can be a list of things,” Nunn said.
    He added that once residents are exposed to the department’s atmosphere is when they become interested in doing more.
    Nunn encourages residents to stop by one of the department wide business meeting held at Station 1 the first Thursday of every month to either volunteer or learn more about the SVFD.
    Just coming in and checking out the station is how John Perry, who has now volunteered for two years, began working with the SVFD.
    “When I was 17 years old I just wanted to come up here and help out,” Perry said. “I always wanted to be a fireman from the time I was 8 years old and I’ve always wanted to protect my community.”
    Perry said he makes an average of 50 to 60 runs a month and can remember a specific month when he made nearly 100 runs.
    “We are the first responders to a number of calls, and of course fires and car accidents,” Perry said.
    Many training sessions for the volunteers happen “in house”, but they also receive training in outside classes.
    “In the fire service your training never stops,” Perry said. “It’s to save somebody’s life and we like to believe that we should train as much as we can to be prepared for anything.”
    Several of the volunteers at the SVFD are career firefighters in Knoxville, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, while others bring different skill sets to the job.
    There are normally two volunteers on duty at Station 1, but many are dedicated to the point that they just “drop by” unscheduled to see if anything needs to be done.
    “I love Seymour and it never hurts to help out your community,” Perry said.
    To find out more information about the SVFD or different ways to volunteer call Station 1 at (865) 573-7475.