Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department

09/29/2026

Member Spotlight: Kari Follick 🚒✨

​For some of our volunteers, service is truly in their blood. This week, we’re proud to spotlight Kari Follick, a teacher who has been serving with Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department for the past three years!
​Growing up as the daughter of a lifelong firefighter in Indiana, Kari spent her childhood around firehouses, seeing firsthand the dedication, sacrifice, and passion required to keep a community safe. When the opportunity came to join BVFRD, it felt like a sign to honor her father’s legacy and life’s work.

​As a teacher, Kari brings her natural passion for education to our team. She supports BVFRD by helping educate local children, families, and residents about fire safety and the critical role emergency responders play in our community.

​In Kari’s words: "I encourage anyone with questions or the desire to make a difference to consider being a volunteer firefighter, a business partner, or a donor to help keep our community educated and safe."

​Thank you, Kari, for keeping your father's legacy alive and for everything you do to educate and protect our community! 👏🔥

09/28/2026

BIG NEWS FOR BRADFORDVILLE SAFETY! 🚒💧

We are thrilled to announce that the Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department (BVFRD) has officially signed a contract to build our new, fully custom 3,000-gallon Pumper-Tanker!

This state-of-the-art apparatus will significantly boost our fire suppression capabilities in response area and increase water-shuttle capacity and fire suppression response across our entire service area and mutual-aid footprint throughout Leon County. This Wednesday, department leadership meets with the contractor for our final line-by-line pre-build engineering review before production begins.

A Huge Thank You to Our State Champions:

This critical investment in public safety would not have been possible without strong leadership in Tallahassee.

To Representative State Representative Allison Tant : A huge and special thank you to Rep. Tant for championing this project from day one, leading the charge in the Florida House, and fighting tirelessly to secure full funding for our community. Representative Tant has been steadfast in supporting all of the volunteer fire departments in her district.

Corey Simon: We thank Senator Simon for his partnership in the Senate for securing the funding and his commitment to North Florida’s first responders.

Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes engineering updates as build-out progresses in Ocala to best serve our local residents. Mark your calendar for a late summer 2027 ceremonial “Push-In” ceremony.

09/22/2026

Member Spotlight: Welcoming Zac Bell! 🚒✨

​We’re excited to introduce one of our newest team members at Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Zac Bell!

​A long-time Tallahassee resident, Zac first came to the area as an undergraduate at Florida State University. After law school, he returned to serve as an attorney with the Florida Department of Health.

​Driven by a desire to give back to the community that has meant so much to him, Zac recently earned his Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications to step up as a frontline volunteer.

​When he’s not serving at the station or working, Zac enjoys spending time at the gym and hanging out with his cat and two dogs.

​Please join us in giving Zac a warm welcome to the BVFRD family and thanking him for his dedication to serving our neighbors! 👏🔥

09/19/2026

Today your Bradfordville Volunteers and a member of Chaires-Capitola Fire & Rescue reviewed filling air cylinders and basic fire ground operations with the 60-hour Leon County Fireground Support Class. Understanding how interior firefighters operate helps the students know what is expected of them on a fireground. Today students reviewed making entry into a structure, advancing a hoseline, staging equipment and ventalation fans to the doorway and how to load hoseline.

We meet on the third Saturday of every month for training. Learn new skills and make fellowship. Message us to sign up today!

09/17/2026

Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue representing at the 9/11 Capitol Stair Climb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU5CO54xYEw

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).