Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department

09/15/2026

Alumni Spotlight: TFD Engineer/Paramedic Shannon! 🚒✨

​When you volunteer with Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue, you’re not just giving back to your community—you might just discover your life’s calling. This week, we’re proud to highlight former BVFRD member Shannon Ruscitto!

​Shannon grew up right here in Bradfordville. While in high school back in 2006, inspired by friends who were volunteering locally, she decided to join BVFRD to give back to her hometown. That decision sparked a lifelong passion for public safety.

​Supported by her fellow BVFRD members through the fire academy and EMT school, Shannon built the foundation for an incredible career. Today, she is a 13-year veteran of the City of Tallahassee Fire Department, serving as an Engineer/Paramedic, Hazmat Technician/Medic, and Child Passenger Safety Technician!

​How BVFRD helps build local heroes and serve the community:
• ​A Launchpad for Careers: BVFRD serves as a proven training ground where aspiring first responders gain hands-on skills, mentorship, and encouragement to pursue professional careers in public safety.
• ​Building a Safer Community: Dedicated volunteers like Shannon hone critical emergency skills that directly benefit local residents during their times of greatest need.
• ​Representation & Inspiration: As a former volunteer turned veteran professional, Shannon continues to represent women in the fire service and inspire the next generation—including her two young daughters—to pursue their goals and serve others.

​Shannon’s advice for anyone considering joining? "Just do it! Volunteering your time is always a worthwhile experience, and doing so in this way is especially rewarding."

​Thank you, Shannon, for starting your journey with BVFRD and for your continued service keeping our region safe! 👏🔥

09/14/2026

The volunteer opportunities are endless. If there’s something you would like to do for a local organization, we have a spot for you! From being a board member, to a first responder or firefighter, to running a committee or volunteering to do a very specific task, the six Volunteer Fire Departments in Leon County have an opportunity for you to make a difference.

Interested? Simply message us or text 850-528-2639. We’d love to meet you!

Leon County volunteer fire departments need more than just firefighters to keep the community safe and operational.

09/11/2026

25 Years Later: Never Forget

​Quarter of a century ago, I was sitting in a middle school book fair when a teacher ran into the room and yelled to turn on the TV. Like millions of Americans, I watched the world change in an instant.

​Today, 25 years after September 11, 2001, I have the honor of serving as Chief of Department for Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue. As time passes, our responsibility to honor that day only grows. An entire generation has come of age with no living memory of 9/11—anyone under the age of 30 was either not yet born or too young to remember the silence, the shock, and the profound unity that followed. It falls on us to keep those stories alive and ensure the vow to Never Forget remains absolute.

​To mark this solemn milestone, members of Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue joined brothers and sisters from the City of Tallahassee Fire Department and Wakulla Fire Rescue at the Florida State Capitol. Together, crew members climbed the 22-story building five times up and five times down—matching the 110 stories of the World Trade Center towers.

​We climbed, some in full gear, some wearing only airpacks, carrying the weight of memory for the 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers, 55 military personnel, and thousands of innocent civilians who lost their lives on September 11. We climbed so that their sacrifice is never reduced to just a page in a history book.

​To our community: thank you for allowing us to serve you every day. To the fallen: we have the watch from here, but we will never forget yours.

James Po***ck, Chief

09/10/2026

Today we reflect on the legacy of TFD Captain Brenden Rudy. Capt. Rudy began his fire service with Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue. He was a shining light. Brenden’s physical presence is missed, but his spirit lives.

Today we pause to remember Captain Brenden Rudy and honor his service to the Tallahassee Fire Department.

From January 26, 2009 to September 10, 2022, Rudy served this community and department with dedication and commitment.

We remember our fallen firefighters.

09/08/2026

A challenging fire and job well done by all. 1561, hand-jacking 350’ of supply line from the hydrant to the attack engines (TFD E15 and E7).

09/08/2026

Not all paths into the fire service look the same, but the drive to help others is always the common thread!

​Whether it’s staffing community events or keeping our website running smoothly, support behind the scenes is vital to keeping Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue operational and connected to our community. This week, we’re proud to feature Auxiliary Member, EMT Katie Ruane! 🚒

​Katie’s passion for emergency response began in Georgia, where she volunteered with the Sandy Springs Fire Department’s Fire Corps and CERT team. That experience inspired her to earn her EMT certification, and after moving to the area, she worked PRN with Leon County EMS while balancing her corporate career.

​Encouraged by her brother—and fellow BVFRD member— firefighter Sean Ruane, Katie brought her experience to our department. For her, the best part of volunteering is simple: helping make someone’s difficult day a little easier and contributing to a safer community.

​When she’s not supporting the BVFRD, Katie loves spending time with her husband and their two dogs, and getting out on the water whenever she can! 🌊🐶

​Please join us in thanking Katie for her dedication and hard work behind the scenes for BVFRD! 👏

09/06/2026

It has been 25 years since 9/11. Anyone under the age of 30 likely has no memory of the events. More so for children born since. How can we teach them about the events of that day and the courage, bravery, and compassion exhibited? How do we teach them why we remember? Oopa's World and the National Fallen Firefighters foundation has an entire website dedicated for this. Take a look at how they help "explore themes of remembrance, heroism, preparedness, and service through movement and reflection."

This Remembering September 11 resource supports the introduction of this topic to young children. Teachers of kindergarten, first grade and second grade can use this in the classroom. Parents can use this resource at home. It includes five videos: ANNIVERSARY, EMERGENCY, HERO, MEMORY, and SERVICE.

09/05/2026

Bradfordville VFRD’s September Activities

9/8 (T), 6:30-9:30 Fire Ground Support Personnel Course. Leon County's Dorothy Cooper Spence Community Center (Chaires) (4768 Chaires Cross Rd). Operational Scene Safety, Apparatus mount/dismount, Scene lighting, and Roadway incident safety. Hosted by Chaires-Capitola Fire & Rescue.

9/9 (W), 6:30-8:30 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training. Station 15 (1445 Bannerman Road). Radio communications and size up..

9/10 (R), 11:00-1:00 First Responder Appreciation Luncheon, sponsored by the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Reservations Required.

9/11 (F), 8:20-9:30 First Responder Recognition. Sponsored by Leon County Schools' Lawton Chiles High School (7200 Lawton Chiles Lane – Meet in the auditorium). 9/11 Remembrance Assembly includes recognition of local First Responders.

9/11 (F), 8:30 until 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, sponsored by Team Guardian. Leon County’s 9/11 Memorial (1115 Easterwood Drive). This is Leon County’s official memorial.

9/11 (F), 10:00 until Capitol Stair Climb. Sponsored by Tallahassee’s Ruck Crew. Florida Capitol (400 South Monroe St – Meet on the Adams St side). Five trips up and down the 22 flights of stairs.

9/11 (F), 12:00 until Never Forget 9/11 Remembrance Event. Sponsored by MISSION BBQ (216 S Magnolia Dr). National Anthem and ceremony at 12:00.

9/11 (F), 6:30 until First Responder Recognition. Sponsored by Lawton Chiles High School (7200 Lawton Chiles Lane – Meet at the football field). Pre-game recognition of First Responders and Military.

9/12 (S), 8:00-12:00 Fire Ground Support Personnel Course. Station 12 (4701 Chaires Cross Road). Operational Scene Safety, Apparatus mount/dismount, Scene lighting, and Roadway incident safety.

9/15 (T), 6:30-8:00 Monthly Membership Meeting. Bradfordville Community Center (Bradfordville Schoolhouse) (6808 Beech Ridge Trail).

9/19 (S), 9:00-12:00 Fire Training. Station 28 (13803 Hanna Hammock Rd).

9/22 (T), 6:30-9:30 Fire Ground Support Personnel Course. Dorothy Cooper Spence Community Center (Chaires) (4768 Chaires Cross Rd). Fire Dynamics.

9/24 (R), 6:30-9:30 Fire Ground Support Personnel Course. Station 30 (6370 Williams Road). Fire Hose, Fire Hydrants, and Water Supply Sources.

9/26 (S), 8:00-1:00 Fire Ground Support Personnel Course and Tender Strike Team Training. Station 12 (4701 Chaires Cross Road), Dorothy Cooper Spence Community Center (Chaires) (4768 Chaires Cross Rd), and Chaires Elementary School (4774 Chaires Cross Road). Fire Hose, Fire Hydrants, and Water Supply Sources.

09/05/2026

Thank you, Nanette, for your years of service. You are absolutely right: the Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department is seeking folks with a strong desire to support BVFRD’s mission.

BVFRD has a strong Board of Directors, but they are stretched thin. Rather than looking for a few to do a wide range of tasks, we are looking for several people who can each focus on a specific area, do it well, and not take a significant amount of time.

More important than experience is the desire to make our community safer.

BVFRD is currently looking for:

Recording Secretary
Records Keeper
Proofreader/Editor
Public Outreach Coordinator
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Recruiting Coordinator
Fundraising Coordinator
Donations Coordinator

If you have what it takes to serve your community, message us, and we will answer your questions and get you started.

Board Member Spotlight 🚒✨️

When people think of a volunteer fire department, they usually picture fire trucks, gear, and frontline responders. All of this is accurate. But it’s the team behind the team that makes it happen. It takes dedicated community members to keep our operations running smoothly!
​
This week, we’re proud to highlight our Board Communications & Public Affairs pro Nanette Schimpf!
​
A partner at The Moore Agency, a Florida-based public affairs and communications agency, Nanette brings incredible expertise in reputation management, crisis communications, and strategic messaging to BVFRD. She leads our public affairs, community outreach, and communications efforts—helping connect local residents with our mission and the volunteers who serve them.
​
Did you know you don’t have to pull hose or drive a truck to serve your community?

​It takes a village to run a volunteer fire department! We are always looking for non-responder volunteers who want to lend their talents in areas like:

● ​​Administration & Board Leadership
●​ Community Outreach & Events
● ​Communications & Social Media
● ​Facilities & Support Operations
​
Please join us in thanking Nanette for lending her professional expertise and passion to Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue! 👏

09/01/2026

Board Member Spotlight 🚒✨️

When people think of a volunteer fire department, they usually picture fire trucks, gear, and frontline responders. All of this is accurate. But it’s the team behind the team that makes it happen. It takes dedicated community members to keep our operations running smoothly!
​
This week, we’re proud to highlight our Board Communications & Public Affairs pro Nanette Schimpf!
​
A partner at The Moore Agency, a Florida-based public affairs and communications agency, Nanette brings incredible expertise in reputation management, crisis communications, and strategic messaging to BVFRD. She leads our public affairs, community outreach, and communications efforts—helping connect local residents with our mission and the volunteers who serve them.
​
Did you know you don’t have to pull hose or drive a truck to serve your community?

​It takes a village to run a volunteer fire department! We are always looking for non-responder volunteers who want to lend their talents in areas like:

● ​​Administration & Board Leadership
●​ Community Outreach & Events
● ​Communications & Social Media
● ​Facilities & Support Operations
​
Please join us in thanking Nanette for lending her professional expertise and passion to Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue! 👏