KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- David Brandt is a retired Fire Fighter, who's been with the squad for 11-years. Putting his life on the line without drawing a paycheck.

"Well there's no money, but at least you get to see smiles on people's faces and know that you can help somebody," Brandt told WVLT.

Sunday, this squad helped save a woman who fell 150-feet down an embankment above Fort Loudoun Lake.

"Crews were unable to access her without safety ropes. Our vertical team was activated," said Michael Norman, Assistant Chief, Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad.

Activated and motivated by a sense of duty, not dollars and cents.

"The fact that you did help someone in, I guess, their most dire circumstance, that's enough for most of the members here on the Rescue Squad."

But the Rescue Squad needs funds to stay alive.
Last year, it cost more than $333,000 to provide 24-7 emergency services.

"How we get our funding is primarily through the United Way, City and County funds, grant money and also some private donations from citizens."

And unlike other agencies...

"We don't bill for our services. The individual involved yesterday will not receive any sort of request for money or bill."

And for David Brandt, that's just fine with him.

"You like saving lives? I do. Pretty rewarding."