Every day, volunteers with the Bradfordville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department donate their time and resources to protect residents of the Killearn Estates, Killearn Acres and Miccosukee communities.

Through partnerships with local organizations, such as with Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, and local schools, such as Maclay School, this volunteer department strives to protect and inform Tallahassee about fire safety. 

Founded in the early 1990s, the volunteer department came into existence under the name of Lake Iamonia Volunteer Fire Rescue.

While it’s partially funded by Leon County, it also depends on donations from the local community and grant opportunities.

All board members and firefighters have full-time jobs and dedicate their own, free time to this agency.

The department’s existence helps fill a fire safety need, especially in the southern portion of the 32309 area.

ISO fire ratings are scores provided to fire departments and insurance companies by the Insurance Services Office.

This rating is based on how prepared a community is for fires, mostly focuses on the surrounding departments and water supply and is given only to the fire departments.

Sean Ruane, the Chief of Bradfordville Fire Rescue, for the past nine years, says that, “ISO ratings are strongly influenced by fire service and supporting infrastructure. For the most part, that is out of the hands of residents.”

At this time, he says that the southern portion of this area, mostly Killearn Estates, has a better rating than the northern portion of the area, which mostly encompasses Miccosukee.

A couple of Bradfordville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department volunteers.  Pictured from left to right: Brecken Gomer, Sean Ruane, Jeff couch and Kevin Speer.

Ultimately, Ruane hopes that the department serves three primary purposes.

“First and foremost, that as well-trained responders, we can save lives and reduce property loss,” said Ruane. “We can engage with our community to bring awareness to how they can live safer lives.”

Ruane added, “That the resources and training opportunities we provide will attract new volunteers into service.  We know many go on to become career firefighters/paramedics and we want to give them a head start.”

If you live in the area and are interested in becoming a volunteer with Bradfordville Volunteer Fire Rescue, Ruane recommends visiting the agency’s website, BradfordvilleFire.org or reaching out on its Facebook page at Facebook.com/BradfordvilleFire.