SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. — The Highland Volunteer Fire Department, located in northwest Sumner County, is calling on the community to help cover the costs of its new fire station, which is expected to improve response times and better serve local residents.
The new station, built after more than 15 years of planning and fundraising, represents a significant milestone for the volunteer department, which covers approximately 70 miles of rural territory near Portland. While the station is expected to enhance their emergency response capabilities, it also comes with a hefty price tag that has placed the department in considerable debt.
According to Assistant Fire Chief Tav Matthews, the addition of the new station is essential to the department’s mission of providing timely aid in emergencies. “We see a lot of bad things,” Matthews explained. “We see people during some of the darkest moments of their lives, but we have the ability to help them in those times.”
The department’s volunteer firefighters work without pay, often sacrificing time away from their families and full-time jobs. These dedicated men and women step up because of their commitment to helping their neighbors in need, Matthews said.
The Highland Volunteer Fire Department receives some funding from Sumner County, but Matthews pointed out that the department’s budget is not guaranteed year-to-year. As a result, donations from the public play a vital role in bridging the gap between county funding and the operational costs needed to keep the department running smoothly.
“We never know what we’re going to get year-to-year from the county, so the donations from the public help cover what the county funding doesn’t,” Matthews said. “Every dollar helps, and it goes directly to saving lives.”
The fire department’s efforts have received positive feedback from the community, with Matthews noting that the new station represents the department’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its ability to respond to emergencies. “We want to be good neighbors,” he said. “And the community has been very supportive of our work.”
As the Highland Volunteer Fire Department works to pay off the debt incurred from building the new station, the department is urging local residents and businesses to consider making a donation. Matthews stressed that every contribution—big or small—makes a meaningful difference in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.
For more information on how to contribute, residents are encouraged to contact the Highland Volunteer Fire Department directly.
