Join us for a special screening of the short documentary, Sullivan Fire, followed by a question and answer session with Director Chris Ramirez.

In the United States, 70% of firefighters are volunteers. In thousands of communities, they make up entire departments. But their ranks are shrinking at an alarming rate, with too few stepping forward to fill the gap.

Set in New York’s Catskill Mountains, Sullivan Fire goes inside rural firehouses where a dwindling force of volunteers remains responsible for answering every alarm. They leave jobs, families, and beds without warning, often with limited resources, no pay, and lives depending on their response.

As veteran chiefs confront an aging volunteer force and prepare to step aside, teenagers and young adults begin stepping forward. The film follows a determined new generation of firefighters as they train for emergencies, confront fear, and take on extraordinary responsibility. Their commitment sets an example far beyond the firehouse, revealing what can happen when young people are allowed to serve, lead, and become part of something larger than themselves.

At the center of the film is a defining question facing fire departments across New York and the country: Who will answer the call?