Sometimes we take for granted the services that Simpson County’s volunteer fire departments offer the community. Many people do not consider that the service they provide makes our communities safer, and they also make our fire rates affordable based on the service they provide.
But what they offer the community comes at a cost to the individual firemen and their families.
We were invited to attend the Magee Volunteer Firemen’s Annual Banquet, where members are recognized for their contributions to the department and their commitment to fire training standards.
A traditional part of this event is to start their program with four white roses. This year James “Pop” Fortenberry did the presentation, and the last part struck me. It was in memory of the fallen fire fighters since the last banquet. The list included James Peden, Paul Purser and Troy Walker. I knew each of these guys. They were great men who gave of their time and service for the community.
The banquet includes spouses of the fire fighters because of the sacrifice they make also. The spouses and some significant others were recognized with a single red rose in a vase.
Firefighters never really know when they may get a call to stop whatever they are doing and turn out. Last year the department had 190 fire calls representing 1,004 man hours on the scene of fires.
Their work is not all about fire and accident calls. The department must also train to the next higher level. Last year they logged 852 official training hours. This breaks down to 8.4 hours per individual fireman.
Chief Lane Steele was able to attend 94.7 percent of calls despite the issues he experienced over the course of the last year. Speaking of Steele, three generations of firefighters are currently represented by his family--the chief, who has served for 38 years; his nephew and captain, Shane Steele; and the newest member of the family, Hunter Steele, Shane’s son, who just completed his first year of becoming a fireman.
There was a lot of laughing and joking for the night not to mention the challenge to see everyone’s badge. Michael Allen marked five years of service to the department. B.J. Smith was recognized for 25 years service as a volunteer to the department.
An emotional ceremony marked the retirement of Chris Tuggle, who had served in various leadership positions over the course of his 20 year career. Tuggle officially retired because of work conflict. Accepting the award on behalf of Chris was his daughter, Swazie Tuggle. Everyone’s eyes were a little wet.
The moment everyone had been waiting for was the announcement of this year’s “Fireman of the Year.”
The 2021 recipient was Benjamin Berch for his for hard work and effort along with his commitment of 100 percent attendance for training events. The award was presented by James Fortenberry. Berch, grandson of late fireman Ted Allen, was caught off guard and nearly speechless.
