Fire-breathing volunteer lands perfect job on The Murfreesboro Post

Sidebar Ads

Fire-breathing volunteer lands perfect job

Related Articles

Time running out on county legal department

Mayor: Rutherford County will not see tax hike

Gilley named Rutherford County Republican of Year

RuCo Convenience Centers close for Easter

RuCo unemployment rate beats state

Commissioners balk at limiting social media

Red Cross wants to prepare for disaster

GOP primary candidate’s eligibility questioned

Rash of burglaries reportedly solved

Rutherford County to consider special redistricting committee

View All

By: Lisa Marchesoni, Senior Writer

Posted: Sunday, July 20, 2008 9:00 am

Running into burning houses has been Larry Farley’s passion for almost 20 years.

Farley spent 19 years of his life as a volunteer firefighter — two years as a firefighter and 17 years as chief with Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department before resigning in June.

Firefighters and community residents showed their appreciation for Farley’s service by surprising him with a dinner last Saturday at Lascassas Baptist Church.

Although he spent 25 years building cars for a living, Farley is more proud of the 19 years he volunteered to his community about 20 to 30 hours per week.

“It gave me an opportunity to help people and mentor to people,” Farley recalled. “I’ve seen things people shouldn’t have to see. I’d just tell them about my God and my Lord and prayed about it.”

Although he resigned as chief, Farley isn’t leaving the fire service. Instead, he began a full-time job in April as Rutherford County’s first fire coordinator for the county’s 11 volunteer fire departments and three rescue squads.

“For the first time in my life, I look forward to Monday morning,” Farley said.

Director Roger Allen of the Emergency Management Agency, who hired Farley as part of his staff, said Farley is well respected by the fire chiefs and firefighters.

“It doesn’t hurt that Larry breathes fire,” Allen said.

County fire protection
County residents who live outside the city limits depend on some 260 volunteer firefighters for fire protection. The county donated new engines to each department in 1990 and 2000. County taxes fund $30,000 annually for each department that costs about $70,000 to $80,000 to operate. Volunteers sponsor fundraisers such as breakfasts and dinners and photograph drives to raise funds. They rely on donations from citizens to pay for operating costs such as the station maintenance, fuel and insurance costs.

For example, a volunteer fire department may serve 3,000 to 3,500 homes in the community.

“If someone in every house would give $35, they could have an operating budget of $90,000 a year,” Farley said. “For the price of two pizzas, you can give to your fire department. It would be phenomenal.”

In a cost saving move, County Mayor Ernest Burgess proposed adding the fire departments to the county’s insurance umbrella. Farley asked the volunteer chiefs to consider the pros and cons and report to him next month.

In his job, Farley:

• Evaluates the existing fire protection of county residents and develops strategic plans for new stations, equipment and ISO fire rating for fire departments based on response to alarms, equipment and training and water supply.

• Coordinates training for fires and hazardous materials and establishes minimum levels of training to make sure volunteer firefighters are competent to fight fires. Volunteer firefighters must wear accountability tags when responding to calls to show they are authorized to enter a fire scene.

• Requires each department to annually test engines and hoses.

• Ensures county maps are up to date.

Challenges
“I want to do anything I can to help the fire protection be the best it can,” Farley said.

He’s met with the reorganized Fosterville Volunteer Fire Department led by Chief Bill Brooks and Assistant Chief Steve Walker who are building membership and funding.

“Fosterville Fire Department is on top of their game,” Farley said.

Training and lowering ISO ratings may be among the biggest challenges.

Volunteer firefighters train regularly. Farley hopes to improve training, especially when the Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department builds its training center funded by a grant from the Christy Houston Foundation. He envisions departments training together to work more as a team.

Allen said the training will make the volunteer fire departments more equal and will set standards.

“We will make training available and get people certified,” Allen said.

Many volunteer firefighters have taken their training and become paid firefighters with Murfreesboro and Nashville fire departments. In turn, many paid firefighters volunteer as firefighters in their communities.

Regarding the ISO ratings, most of the volunteer departments have improved their departments enough to obtain higher rankings, resulting in lower insurance premiums for the residents.

“Ideally, every home will be within five road miles of a fire department,” Farley said. Most departments have two stations now.

Citizens can help their fire departments through donations and through volunteering.

“Volunteers don’t have to fight fires,” Farley said, explaining the fire stations need volunteers to handle maintenance needs such as plumbing, electric, masonry and carpeting.

Many merchants are generous in donating materials to support fire stations.

People who do want to fight fires must be willing to volunteer as much as 20 hours per week.

“It’s a great care and love for your community,” Farley said. “Rutherford County has top-notch volunteer fire departments. Rutherford County is very fortunate to have the dedication and training these firefighters go through every year.”

Allen said volunteers make a difference in their community.

In his tribute to Farley, Lascassas Volunteer firefighter Capt. Trey Nunley recalled how he joined as a junior firefighter at age 15. Now he’s a captain.

Farley always guarded the money like it was his own and didn’t ask anyone to do a job he wasn’t willing to do. He encouraged volunteers to attend the Tennessee State Fire Academy for state certification, the captain continued.

“Larry was instrumental in building and molding one of the best, experienced volunteer fire departments in the state of Tennessee,” Nunley said. “There’s no doubt he can do it for Rutherford County.”

Farley said being involved with volunteering with a fire department is a commitment one loves. People who want to volunteer may contact the community fire department.

“Be a hometown hero and volunteer,” Farley said.

Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@mufreesboropost.com.

Tagged under RUCO

Member Opinions:

By: mattthepm on 7/21/08
Congrats to you Larry!

By: republicaninboro on 7/21/08
I met Larry 15 years ago at LBC. Three years later I went to volunteer with him at LVFD. At that time I had been through college but still had no direction for a career. Larry not only showed me how great God could be in my life but also laid the ground work for me to realize that firefighting would be my calling. Thanks to Larry I have been a Professional Firefighter for the last 11 years and I still love every minute of it, just like my first day. Thank you, Larry--for everything, and good luck!

By: Boo on 7/22/08
Congratulations Mr. Farley! I so appreciate all our firemen, both professionals and volunteers. Thank you all for all you do! May God always keep you safe.