A Hernando County retirement community has lost its volunteer fire department - for now.

The High Point volunteer fire department serves about 1,600 mobile homes in a 55 and older community in Brooksville. The department, which has been in existence for 40 years, has taken itself out of service over a lack of proper certification.

According to county officials, the department has a shortage of volunteers with proper medical training and fire certifications.

High Point Fire Chief Joe Curcio said the department is up to speed on medical training but not fire. Therefore the department is not taking any calls under the certification is upgraded.

"I'm trying to do my best to always have protection for the residents of high point," Curcio said. "That's my main concern."

In the meantime, Hernando County Fire Rescue is responding to calls from the High Point community.

Curcio said he is unclear about the future of the department but said they definitely are not closed.