Volunteer Fire Department Surprised With Critical Communications Equipment

The Mims Volunteer Fire Department is used to coming to the aid of others in a time of need. This time it was the Gary Sinise Foundation Central Florida Chapter who delivered when these brave volunteer heroes of the Mims community needed help.

This spring, the GSF Central Florida Chapter was proud to honor the Mims Volunteer Fire Department with $35,000 worth of critical communications equipment as a result of a successful grant application by Mims VFD. The department was founded in October of 1958 with all 20 members being volunteers.

Due to being a small municipal department, their access to new equipment and technology has been limited over the years. Leaving them to come up with other ways to communicate, like using their cell phones.

The new equipment, which is future-standard compliant, will be used in their ambulances, fire trucks and main fire station dispatch.

The granted equipment was unveiled as a surprise at a Serving Heroes event where the Mims volunteer firefighters, along with the Four Communities Volunteer Fire Department, enjoyed a free hot meal courtesy of the GSF Central Florida Chapter and its partners Mission Barbeque.

Mims VFD Chief Ryan Hunt was thrilled: “Gary Sinise and his foundation guaranteed the North Brevard community they would not have any disruption in fire protection services and that the Mims Volunteer Fire Department would continue to provide quality service for many years to come,” said Mims Fire Chief Ryan Hunt.

GSF Central Florida Chapter President Karen Connors added: “Providing this much-needed equipment is a perfect example of how creating chapters for the Gary Sinise Foundation can expand support and awareness regionally – specific to the needs of the region and those amazing people who bravely serve and protect it.”