"In the entire Almaville Volunteer Fire Department district, we have 23,000 people living in approximately 70 square miles, and last year our district responded to 400 calls," said Bill Corbin, assistant director of Vanderbilt's Learning Technology Center.

"We cover a lot more than just fires," explained the volunteer firefighter, who is certified as an emergency vehicle operator and can drive department vehicles including engines, tankers, brush trunks and service trucks. "We cover all motor vehicle accidents with injuries and other accidents where there's any risk of fire or spilled hazardous materials. A part of Interstate 24 is in our district, so we have a real connection with Vanderbilt in that we frequently set up landing zones for LifeFlight.

"I'm an ordained Presbyterian minister, so I'm also the chaplin for the fire department. I wear both hats, which is kind of unusual because most fire chaplains don't fight fires. When you're in a volunteer department, though, you do everything you can. I also help with grant writing because it is extremely difficult for volunteer fire departments to keep their heads above water financially.

"No one on our department gets a penny of pay. All of the expenses are our own. The light bar, the siren, the radio, the strobe light, any mileage -- these are my own costs. When someone joins a volunteer fire department, they are making a real community commitment. This is my community service; this is how I serve my community. I try to save lives and protect property.

"I turned 57 last month, and the oldest firefighter on the department is 64. I'm number two, so I want to last until then ... or until I'm 65."