Serving Beyond the Call Todd Boatfield and Joe Cira on Firefighting, Community, and the 419 Music Festival

For firefighters, serving the community does not end when the emergency is over. It is a commitment that continues through charitable work, community partnerships, and a willingness to support the people and organizations that make Toledo stronger.

In this episode of Taylor Community Connection, Tom Cole sits down with Todd Boatfield, Event Coordinator for the 419 Music Festival, and Joe Cira, President of Toledo Firefighters Local 92, to talk about the realities and rewards of the fire service and the work firefighters continue to do throughout the community. They also look ahead to the 419 Music Festival, returning to Promenade Park on September 26 to raise money for Local 92 Charities.

Making a Difference on Someone's Worst Day

When people think about firefighters, fires may naturally come to mind first. Todd and Joe explain that today's fire service encompasses much more.

Emergency medical services now make up the majority of the calls firefighters respond to. That can mean arriving at vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, falls, injuries, and countless other situations where someone needs immediate help.

For Joe, that is also what makes the career so rewarding.

When someone calls 911, the situation they are experiencing may be one of the most frightening moments of their life. Firefighters have the opportunity to enter that moment, bring experience and calm to the situation, and make a difference.

That sense of purpose is why Joe describes firefighting as "the best job in the world." 

Finding Calm in the Chaos

Tom points out something many people have probably noticed during an emergency: firefighters often seem remarkably calm even when everything around them appears chaotic.

That composure develops through training and experience.

Joe explains that firefighters learn to arrive, evaluate what is actually happening, and focus on what needs to be done. A vehicle may look severely damaged, for example, while the people inside are thankfully doing better than the scene initially suggests.

The firefighter's job is to assess the situation rather than react emotionally to how it appears.

That calm also helps the people they are serving. During an accident, injury, or medical emergency, having someone arrive who is prepared, professional, and focused can provide reassurance when it is needed most.

Supporting the People Who Answer the Call

Being able to remain composed during an emergency does not mean those experiences simply disappear when a shift ends.

Todd discusses the growing recognition of mental health and post traumatic stress within the fire service. Firefighters may see difficult situations repeatedly throughout their careers, and experiences that are pushed aside in the moment can return later.

Acknowledging that reality and providing firefighters with appropriate support has become an increasingly important part of taking care of the men and women who spend their careers taking care of others.

It is another reminder that behind the uniform are people who carry the weight of the emergencies they respond to every day.

Giving Back Through Local 92 Charities

Community service is also a major part of the mission of Toledo Firefighters Local 92.

Joe explains that Local 92 represents nearly 600 Toledo firefighters and operates its own charitable organization, Local 92 Charities, with the goal of putting money directly back into the community.

Over the years, that support has included organizations such as Cherry Street Mission Ministries, Martin Luther King Kitchen for the Poor, Mom's House, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Funds raised through Local 92 Charities allow firefighters to continue supporting organizations and causes serving people throughout Toledo.

The 419 Music Festival is one way the community can help make that work possible while enjoying a day together.

Music With a Mission at Promenade Park

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, the 419 Music Festival returns to Promenade Park for a full day of live music, food, drinks, and family friendly entertainment.

The music begins at noon, with bands performing throughout the day. Many of the local musicians are donating their time to support the cause, with some performing at the festival before heading to other scheduled shows later that evening.

This year's lineup celebrates plenty of Northwest Ohio talent, including Whiskey Gypsy, Distant Cousinz, North of Nashville, and Leadfoot Granny.

The festival will also welcome Ohio based headliner Red Wanting Blue, a nationally touring act with connections to the Toledo area.

Country fans will have another reason to join the fun, with a line dancing group scheduled to help teach festivalgoers before North of Nashville performs.

Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, settle in, enjoy the food and drinks, and spend the day listening to live music along the riverfront.

A Festival Built Around Community

At its heart, the 419 Music Festival is about more than the performances on stage.

It brings together firefighters, musicians, families, businesses, volunteers, and community members around a shared purpose. Every dollar raised for Local 92 Charities creates another opportunity for firefighters to support organizations doing meaningful work throughout Toledo.

For Todd and Joe, giving back is simply another part of serving.

Their careers place them in people's lives during some of their most difficult moments. Through Local 92 Charities and events like the 419 Music Festival, they also have the opportunity to show up in moments of celebration, connection, and community.

It is service beyond the call and another example of the impact Toledo's firefighters make both in uniform and outside of it.

👉 Watch now to hear Todd Boatfield and Joe Cira share what makes the fire service so rewarding, why supporting firefighters' mental health matters, and how the 419 Music Festival is turning a day of live music into an opportunity to give back to Toledo.