FERNDALE — A new documentary by former New York Times photojournalist Chris Ramirez examines the sacrifices, challenges and sense of purpose that drive Sullivan County’s volunteer firefighters.

Screened Saturday at The Carrland Lodge, “Sullivan Fire” follows firefighters from Summitville and other departments across Sullivan County, from junior members just beginning their service to veteran officers with decades of experience. Rather than focusing on dramatic emergency scenes, the film centers on the people behind the pager and the realities of balancing firefighting with work, family and everyday life.

“The target audience is people who know nothing about the fire service,” Ramirez said. “It’s an eye opener for them because it is a ground-level look.”

The film arrives at a time when volunteer departments across New York continue to face recruitment challenges and increasing training requirements. Through interviews with firefighters of different ages and backgrounds, the documentary explores what motivates people to serve despite the demands the role places on their personal lives.

During a discussion following the screening, Sullivan County Legislator Cat Scott said the documentary highlights a reality many residents may not fully understand.

“These are people who have lives and families and jobs,” Scott said. “They’re taking time [from] all of that to make sure that if there is a fire or a call, they make it out.”

For Scott, the film resurfaced memories of a house fire that struck her family when she was 16 years old. Volunteer firefighters responded in subzero temperatures during the early morning hours and were able to save much of the home.

“What great documentaries do is they hold a mirror up,” Scott said. “They show you what’s going on, and they do it in a way that tells the story.”

Scott said one of the film’s most encouraging aspects was its focus on younger firefighters stepping into leadership roles and finding purpose through service.

“Not everybody can be a firefighter, but everybody can support a firefighter,” she said.

Firefighters Cody Walsh and Aaron Wizwer said the film gave viewers a fuller picture of volunteer fire service than what is often shown on television or in popular media.

Walsh said being filmed did not interfere with the work and that he hopes Sullivan Fire reaches a wide audience.

“I hope it goes everywhere,” Walsh said. “It’s a good explanation of what volunteers do.”

Wizwer said the film shows a different side of emergency response because it focuses on volunteers who leave their own lives behind when a call comes in.

“This plays to the humanity of a person who does this all the time,” Wizwer said.

Ramirez’s connection to the subject extends beyond filmmaking.

The director and creator of “Sullivan Fire”, Ramirez is first lieutenant and training officer with the Summitville Fire Department. He previously spent eight years with the Rock Hill Fire Department and said the idea for the documentary emerged shortly after he joined the fire service.

“I had the idea the first day I walked into the firehouse,” he said.

His path to firefighting was unexpected. Ramirez said he initially became involved after a firefighter asked for help with the department’s website and social media presence. After spending time around the department, he decided to join.

Before moving into documentary filmmaking, Ramirez spent decades as a photojournalist. He worked as a staff photographer for the Times Herald-Record before spending approximately 15 years shooting assignments for The New York Times.

Looking back, he sees similarities between journalism and firefighting. Like fires, news happens at all hours of the day, and a reporter, especially in a city like New York, could be called at any time to cover a protest, accident or any number of newsworthy events. The reporter has to show up ready to do the work.

“To get the picture, you have to show up,” Ramirez said. “For firefighting, it’s the same thing. You’ve got to show up.”

The film explores themes of service, responsibility, mentorship and community. Younger firefighters play a prominent role, speaking about training, leadership and the search for purpose.

“They’re looking for meaning in their life, and they want it,” Ramirez said. “It’s just a matter of holding on to it.”

While the documentary focuses on volunteer firefighters, Ramirez said he hopes audiences leave thinking more broadly about community involvement.

“You’re going to watch this film, you’re going to see people who care, and they’re putting it into action,” Ramirez said. “It doesn’t always have to be about firefighting. It could be anything. Contribute something that helps people.”

The film is currently in post-production and is being submitted to film festivals. Ramirez said he hopes to bring “Sullivan Fire” to schools, community organizations and fire service programs as a way to introduce new audiences to the volunteer fire service.

The Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Association has been a major financial supporter of the film’s completion. Those interested in learning more about the project can visit sullivanfiredoc.com.