ST. FLORIAN – The Mid-Lauderdale Volunteer Fire Department (MLVFD) is proud
to announce that it is one of 100 volunteer fire departments across the nation to receive a
$10,000 grant through the State Farm® Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. In
collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), State Farm has awarded $1
million in grants to help local fire departments acquire essential equipment that increases
responder safety, enhances effectiveness, and improves service to their communities.
With this grant, MLVFD purchased two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and four
portable suction units, essential for treating cardiac arrest and clearing airway obstructions. The
grant also funded new medical bags, standardizing medical equipment across the department’s
fleet. By equipping four frontline apparatus identically, with two identically stocked trucks at each
station, MLVFD has enhanced response efficiency and ensured personnel have immediate
access to life-saving tools wherever they are dispatched.
Since 1971, MLVFD has served the Town of St. Florian and surrounding communities, covering
30 square miles and 38.5 miles of shoreline along Shoal Creek and the Wilson Lake, and
serving 4,000 residents. We respond to medical calls, structure fires, motor vehicle accidents,
and natural disasters. MLVFD also maintains mutual aid agreements with Underwood-
Petersville, Zip City, Greenhill, Killen, and Florence Fire Rescue, fostering a collaborative,
county-wide emergency response effort.
“This grant has allowed us to increase our medical response capabilities significantly,” said
Justin Bishop, a volunteer EMT and vice president of MLVFD’s board of directors. “Our
volunteers work tirelessly to protect our community, and it is critical that they have the right tools
to do their job safely and effectively. Thanks to State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire
Council, we are better equipped and prepared to provide life-saving care when seconds matter
most.”
This is the inaugural year of the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program.
Volunteer fire departments play a critical role in protecting communities across the country,
especially small towns and rural areas. However, they often operate on tight budgets and
struggle to find the funding for needed equipment. In collaboration with the NVFC, State Farm
aimed to award 50 grants to local fire departments. However, the overwhelming response
prompted State Farm to double its commitment to 100 grants, benefiting even more local
departments and communities.
State Farm also provided all applicants with a membership to the NVFC – the leading
association representing the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services – so they have access to
additional tools, resources, and training to help them thrive.
Media Release/Justin Bishop, NREMT/Vice President of the Board/Mid-Lauderdale Volunteer Fire Department
