DAPHNE — Lawrence Alley knows from experience that fires often occur at odd hours — that there is really no good time for one.

But that doesn’t stop Alley from responding to a fire call, regardless of what that may mean to his own personal schedule.

Not that he’s a stranger to this kind of dedication or life.

Alley has been a volunteer firefighter for 48 years. He currently serves as Belforest’s assistant chief, after having been with BVFD for eight years.

His dedication was tested — and prevailed — over the Memorial Day weekend. Just hours before he was slated to help with a fundraiser, Alley and other local firefighters spent the night battling a house fire.

“By the time we got there, it was fully involved; I guess I could see the blaze from a half-mile away when I was driving there,” Alley said. Still, he came to help collect money as part of the department’s “boot drive,” he said.

Helping people is his primary motivation, Alley said. “I think our fire department does a lot of good,” he said. But fighting fires — and purchasing needed equipment and training volunteers — isn’t cheap, Alley said.

Fundraising is a necessity, because the cost of virtually every aspect of this work, including fuel prices, has climbed, he said.

“Just buying new turnout gear can set you back always. It’s about $1,400 for those pants and a coat,” Alley said.

Veteran volunteer Dan Reed, who also has experience as a professional firefighter, said he gladly comes from Mobile to serve with Belforest. “I would say that this department is pretty close to No. 1 in the state, from what I’ve seen,” he said. “They get along well and there is absolute teamwork to get the job done. Dedication makes a real difference here.”

Another volunteer, Gretchen Kosek, said both organizations are important to her family.

“My daughter, Megan, is also here helping collect. I’m in the Belforest Fire Department and her dad, Michael Kosek, is a reserve member here, but he’s also with Search and Rescue,” Kosek said. Community support is a great motivational force, she said. “They appreciate us being here and that means a lot,” Kosek said.