About three-quarters of the United States is protected by volunteer firefighters. It’s a shocking statistic and a fact that is at the heart of the documentary Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat. The title, of course, refers to the random nature of emergencies, the volunteer aspect, and the unique headgear that over 700,000 U.S. citizens willfully sign up for. A love letter to these tireless souls Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat explores the remarkable people behind the nation’s volunteer fire service and digs into their stories. Gary Matoso and Cameron Zohoori tell a story of nationwide scope and intimate detail that reminds us there might still be good in the world.

It’s actually a shocking statistic that so few firefighters and first responders are actually paid. Yet, in the more rural communities, there are simply no resources. Take for instance Alan Michl of Exeter, Nebraska. With a population of 512 in the 2020 census, Michl wears a lot of hats. As a bus driver, chairman on the village board, and volunteer firefighter, Michl certainly gives to his small community. “Can you imagine if you had to come a long way to fight a fire?” muses Michl, “The battle would already be over.”

The film also focuses Tubbs Fire survivor, Jenna Dunbar. In October, 2017 she woke up to tornado-like winds sweeping around her home. Grabbing what she could she fled the area with her roommates and a few personal belongings. Revisiting the site of the fire, she remembers the feeling of panic as the unthinkable played out. As she wanders the empty lot where her home once stood, and says, ” I never want to feel that feeling again.”. Subsequently, she joins the local volunteer firefighters. There are many more stories in the film just like Dunbar’s or Michl’s. Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat is a heartening collection of human kindness.

Writer-director duo Gary Matoso and Cameron Zohoori lean into the humanity of the subject. With a writing assist from Peter Yoakum, the film offers a tapestry of stories featuring self-sacrifice. Sometimes it’s reactionary as in Dunbar’s case. Other times it’s from a desire to do more for others. The point is that there is a desperate need for helpers and thankfully, there are individuals who step up to the challenge.

Another shocking number:  In Sonoma County, there are approximately 100 fire departments. At the shooting of this documentary, only 3 of those departments were which are 100% paid. Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat exists for no other reason than to express a need and to remind us that there are still good people out there.

Matoso and Zohoori harness their talents to make known the virtues and talents of others. They also make clear the need for help and support of the tireless ones rushing in to offer help.

7 out of 10