LOCAL NEWS — When the tones go off, the world stops … whether they just sat down to dinner, in the middle of the night, as they watch their kids play baseball … volunteer firefighters routinely stop everything to be of service to their community.
In Tennessee, more that 70 percent of local fire halls are staffed by volunteer crews and that includes Metro Moore County. Those members are becoming harder to recruit, according to Metro Fire Chief Mark Neal.
“A lot of department strive to be what our department is,” he said during Saturday’s Appreciation Dinner at Motlow College. “But we could still use about 10 more members.”
It takes a special person with a special heart to sign up to drop everything and work extra hours away from their families to be their for others in their worst moments. This past Saturday night, members of the Metro Moore County Volunteer Fire Department gathered at the Motlow College Cafeteria, for their annual Appreciation Dinner. It’s a night to stop, reflect, and acknowledge the countless hours they give for the greater good.
Several members of the local department plus a community member were honored. Chief Mark Neal recognized Candy Richard for all her support of the local department. He also spotlighted retired member, John Womble, for his endless hours with both the Metro Volunteer Department and the Jack Daniel’s Fire Brigade. The Department Service Award went to John LaCook. Chief Neal also recognized Nathan Long with the Department Service Award.
“He’s always going above and beyond without being asked,” Neal stated.
Neal also gave an emotional acknowledgement to both Assistant Fire Chief Don Primus and his wife Nancy for being the public face of the department in the Lynchburg community. After the awards ceremony, firefighter Chris Dickey stepped up to honor both Chief Neal and Assistant Chief Neal for their leadership. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Moore County … covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}