I grew up in an Illinois hamlet of about 100 people with one fire truck and about a dozen volunteer firefighters. When a fire started the siren at the firehouse would call the firefighters, who dropped all other work and raced to the fire. Fire departments from nearby small towns joined the fray. It was a system that worked imperfectly but it was better than no fire department at all, which is what we would have had if “professionals” were required.
Growing up in small towns in Minnesota I would race on my bicycle to the fire station on my bike as soon as I heard the whistle. Big excitement.
Had to be careful not to get run over by a fire man on his way.