PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) – Volunteer firefighters respond to car wrecks and fires without being paid.Furrs Fire Chief Jerry Paul said he has about 10 firefighters on staff and the department’s budget is around $13,000 a year.Because the station is in a rural area, volunteer firefighters are often the first on the scene for medical emergencies, ahead of an ambulance.Paul said it takes a special person to do the work.“To get up at 2 a.m. and go out, work a car wreck, work a fire,” Paul said. “That person gets up and goes out there at 2 a.m., does what they got to do to put [a fire] out, and you’re going home, you’re taking a shower, and next thing you know, you’re going to work, you know?”Furrs and a few other departments have partnered with Three Rivers to sell cookies. A pack of shortbread cookies costs $8.Those who do not want to buy cookies can support the department by attending its Community Day on Saturday, Oct. 3.The event includes a DJ and free burgers and hot dogs, starting at 3 p.m.Copyright 2026 WTVA. All rights reserved.