In the small town of Pine Haven, Wyoming, where the population barely tops 565, the crackle of a radio or the sudden blare of a pager can upend an ordinary day in a heartbeat. Here, far from the bustle of big-city fire departments, the line between everyday life and emergency response is thin—sometimes vanishing entirely when wildfires rage across the West. In 2024, Wyoming faced what its governor called a "historic and unprecedented" fire season, a year marked by relentless blazes that tested the mettle of every firefighter, especially volunteers like T.J. Gideon.
According to NPR, wildfires have been growing larger in the western United States, and Wyoming was no exception last year. In Pine Haven, just a stone’s throw from the South Dakota border, the community relies almost entirely on volunteer firefighters to fight back against nature’s fury. These volunteers, often juggling other jobs and family commitments, form the backbone of the town’s emergency response.
T.J. Gideon is one of these everyday heroes. For the past 15 years, he’s called Pine Haven home. He’s not just a firefighter—he also owns a fleet of ATM machines and a bar in a nearby town. It’s this flexibility, he says, that allows him to answer the call when disaster strikes. "Well, I do it for free. I think it's just the drive, the commitment. Someone's got to do it," Gideon told NPR’s Chris Clements during a recent visit to Pine Haven’s fire station.
Inside the station, Gideon inspects a cherry-red fire engine, making sure every tool is in its right place. "So this truck will—it's got all of our... all the tools in it—fire line... tools. It does have a portable tank on it," he explains, the sound of rattling equipment punctuating his words. For Gideon and his fellow volunteers, preparedness is everything. They train for wildland fires, grass fires, and structural house fires—because in rural Wyoming, you never know what the next call might bring.
"We train on everything. We train on wild land fire, the grass fires, stuff like that. And then we focus a lot on the structural house fires," Gideon said, emphasizing the breadth of skills required. The team’s commitment isn’t just about fighting fires—it’s about being ready for them at a moment’s notice.
But readiness comes at a cost. Volunteer firefighters in Pine Haven receive a stipend of $500 a month to help cover expenses, but the real sacrifices are personal. Gideon recalls a recent family birthday party by the lake—a rare moment to relax with his two daughters. "I literally just got there, and the pager went off. I knew by the page it was a call that I felt I had to go to, so I did. You know, I chose it. That's where the family support is so important," he explained. It’s a choice that’s familiar to many volunteers: weighing a beautiful day on the water against the ever-present threat of a "red flag" warning, when fire potential is high after a lightning storm.
Gideon’s story is emblematic of the broader challenges facing rural fire departments across Wyoming. According to NPR, volunteer recruitment statewide is down—a worrying trend as wildfires become more frequent and intense. Yet, Pine Haven bucks this trend. When Gideon first joined, there were just seven volunteers. Now, the team boasts 28 members, ranging in age from 19 to 75. "The youngest is 19 years old, the oldest 75," Gideon noted, a testament to the town’s resilience and sense of duty.
Charlie Harrison, the fire warden for Crook County, has seen firsthand the toll that last year’s fire season took on volunteers. "That was like fires every day. The volunteers were getting burned out. You know, we were stretched pretty thin," Harrison told NPR. The relentless pace left little room for rest or recovery, pushing some to the brink of exhaustion. But in Pine Haven, the spirit of volunteerism remained strong, fueled by a deep-rooted commitment to community.
Gideon’s motivation, he says, comes from the satisfaction of knowing he’s made a difference. "The biggest reward is—after a call is knowing, hey, we just did that. We just helped this. We just solved this problem," he reflected. It’s a simple sentiment, but one that resonates deeply in a town where neighbors depend on each other for safety and support.
Volunteer firefighting is not just about battling flames; it’s about making tough choices, sacrificing personal time, and standing ready when others need help most. As Gideon put it, "It's something you don't think about 'cause the common person just expects if they call 911, someone's coming. You know, in the rural areas, it's not—you know, you're not guaranteed that."
This reality is especially stark in places like Pine Haven, where resources are limited and every pair of hands counts. The town’s ability to grow its volunteer ranks stands in contrast to the broader state trend, offering a glimmer of hope amid otherwise daunting challenges. It’s a reminder that, even as wildfires grow more severe and recruitment struggles persist, communities can still rally together to protect what matters most.
Of course, the work is far from glamorous. Volunteers like Gideon often face long hours, dangerous conditions, and the constant threat of burnout. Yet, they continue to show up, driven by a sense of purpose that transcends any monetary reward. The $500 monthly stipend helps, but it’s hardly compensation for the risks and sacrifices involved.
Looking back on the 2024 fire season, it’s clear that Pine Haven’s firefighters—volunteers all—played a crucial role in keeping their community safe. Their story, as reported by NPR and VPM, is one of perseverance, commitment, and quiet heroism. It’s a narrative that echoes across rural America, where volunteerism is not just a tradition but a lifeline.
As the threat of wildfires continues to loom over the West, the example set by Pine Haven’s volunteer firefighters offers a powerful lesson in resilience. Their willingness to answer the call, no matter the personal cost, is a testament to the enduring strength of small-town America. And while the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: for T.J. Gideon and his fellow volunteers, the drive to help—and the satisfaction of a job well done—will always burn bright.
