Florence Fire Marshall: Edwin Sandifer

The Florence Volunteer Fire Department, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2004, provides fire protection and emergency medical care to the Town of Florence and the surrounding, unincorporated, areas of Rankin County. The Department has two fire stations which house two engines, two rescue vehicles, a tanker, and a brush truck. Our department, lead by Fire Chief Chip Taylor, currently has 20 members. Eighteen are State Certified Volunteer Firefighters. Many of our members have advanced firefighting training, hazardous materials expertise, vehicle extrication training, and other firefighting and rescue certification. Most of our firefighters are certified Emergency Medical First Responders, three are EMT-Basics and four are Paramedics.

In 2003, the Florence Volunteer Fire Department responded to 509 requests for assistance. Approximately 30 percent of these calls were structural, grass/woods, or vehicle fires while 70 percent were emergency medical calls and vehicle accidents. At our current pace, we will run over 570 calls in 2004.

If you wish to make a contribution to the Florence Volunteer Fire Department or are interested in becoming a member, please call Chief Chip Taylor at 845-5581. The department's mailing address is:
Florence Volunteer Fire Dept.
P.O. Box 242
Florence, MS 39073