WOODSTOCK, NY — “Sullivan Fire,” a documentary examining the critical decline of volunteer firefighting and the growing public safety crisis created by diminishing ranks, will premiere at the 27th Woodstock Film Festival on Sunday, October 18 at 1:45 p.m.

About the film

Across the United States, 70 percent of firefighters are volunteers and millions of Americans depend on them when emergency strikes. But far too few are stepping forward to replace the aging ranks, threatening to leave a dangerous gap in emergency response. 

Set in New York’s Catskill Mountains, “Sullivan Fire” “goes inside the small, rural firehouses and is with the volunteers as they leave their jobs, families and beds to answer every alarm, often with limited resources, no pay, and lives hanging in the balance,” director Chris Ramirez said.

“As veteran chiefs prepare to leave their posts, a committed handful of teens and young adults are stepping up to take their place. “Sullivan Fire” follows this new generation as they confront fear, train for emergencies, and discover the responsibility and purpose of serving something larger than themselves.”

Ramirez is a New York-based documentary filmmaker and active volunteer firefighter, whose dual role gave him rare access to the people, emergencies and culture at the center of the story. 

“Our goal is to remind people of the value of civic service and caring for one another,” Ramirez said. “By experiencing volunteer firefighting from the inside, we want viewers to feel the urgency, responsibility, and purpose of answering the call.” 

The film is part of the Made in the Hudson Valley Shorts.

It will be shown at the Woodstock Community Center, 56 Rock City Road. 

Purchase tickets at www.woodstockfilmfestival.org.

Learn more at www.sullivanfiredoc.com.