John Deere and the National Volunteer Fire Council have joined forces for a new documentary film titled Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat.
The film highlights diverse stories of rural volunteer firefighters from across the country and paints a portrait of these brave individuals who serve their communities.
Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat is expected to be released nationally sometime soon, and producers hope that some of those who watch it will be inspired to sign up to be volunteer firefighters through the NVFC’s Make Me a Firefighter campaign.
You can view the film’s trailer and teasers here:
- Exeter Nebraska Sneak Peek
- How do you keep a town alive
- Turn someone’s day right side up
- Chew gum and walk
Of the 1.1 million firefighters in the U.S. today, it is estimated that more than 700,000 are volunteers who provide a vital service to rural communities across the country. These volunteers answer the call and are among the first responders to arrive on the scene of grain bin and other structure fires, brush fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous chemical spills and other accidents.
Many volunteers are farmers, ranchers, contractors, loggers, Deere employees, or Deere dealership employees. Nate Clark, global director for corporate social responsibility at John Deere and president of the John Deere Foundation, said Deere employees recorded more than 13,000 hours in 2022 volunteering as firefighter and emergency responders.
“John Deere and our employees recognize the importance of volunteer firefighters and emergency responders in communities across the country,” Clark said. “Some of the individuals featured in the film are John Deere customers and many John Deere dealers provided financial support for the film’s distribution. All John Deere dealers will be able to use the film free of charge to help local recruitment efforts of volunteer firefighters.”
