By Stephen Smoot
The year 2023 put every volunteer responder unit in Pendleton County through trials and tribulations, from brushfires requiring “all hands on deck” to rising costs and pushes to improve response times.
None, however, endured quite the 2023 that the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department endured.
The Brandywine based unit faces its first year without “the General,” Nila Bland.
As close to 200 filed into the firehouse, taking in the delicious aromas of the feats served up by the Moorefield based Sweets and Treats On Main, they saw reminders of the influence and impact of the beloved former head of the ladies’ auxiliary and administrator. One reminder of her years of service was the sign emblazoned with “Nila’s Kitchen,” complete with her picture and the words “Est. 2007.”
The social hour started when attendees showed up and lasted until 6:30. A fruit tray, vegetable tray, and a platter piled high with meats and cheeses fed those who came to enjoy fellowship before the official program started. Tables were adorned with floating candles, diminutive bowls of candy and, best of all, small jars of strawberry, blackberry, and peach jellies made by Donna Evick.
All the while, attendees shook hands, swapped stories, and greeted old friends.
At 6:30 sharp, Jeffrey Bowers, SFVFD president, took the podium, whistled loudly to diminish the din, and said, “I want to welcome you to the annual dinner.”
Bowers spoke the thought on almost everyone’s minds, saying “Miss Nila’s not with us. This will be tough on a lot of us.” He then requested that all present observe a moment of silence.
“The General,” as many knew Bland, served for decades running the ladies’ auxiliary and also taking care of event planning, administrative duties, and much more for the fire hall. Her passing last year took one of the most hard-working and respected members of not just the SFVFD, but the entire family of Pendleton County volunteer first responder units.
Time and time again, the night’s festivities would return to honor “the General” in some fashion.
Captain Nathan Parker then gave the invocation, in which he prayed, “We don’t know how much we miss them (people that we lose) until they are gone.”
One table after another then departed their seats to be served from the buffet style dinner, which included medium and well-done prime rib, glazed ham, Chesapeake bay style shrimp, scalloped potatoes, green beans, fresh baked rolls, salad, and a host of sliced pies and cakes for dessert.
Once all got their food and resumed their seats, the keynote speaker was introduced by Bowers.
Bradley “Sparky” Scott did not receive his nickname by setting a barn on fire at the age of 12, as Bowers deadpanned in his introduction. He did, however, earn a reputation at the age of 15 for showing up at his Kanawha County volunteer fire department house on his bicycle for each call before anyone else.
After almost four decades of service in Kanawha County, Putnam County, and the State Office of Emergency Management, Scott now serves in the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Scott spoke mainly about “how much the fire service has changed in the last 39 years” after mentioning how “Miss Nila kept trying to get me up here.”
He also shared stories from an earlier time, when high school student volunteer firefighters could leave school to go on calls. Scott credited membership in his local VFD for keeping “me out of trouble as a youth.”
“May all your alarms be one alarm,” Scott said to conclude.
Next up came Delegate Bryan Ward. In addition to Roger Dahmer and Jimmie Bennett, Pendleton County Commissioners, Ward was one of the elected officials on hand to speak, but also to hear concerns and answer questions.
The gregarious Ward described his nearly three decades in law enforcement, serving in both West Virginia and Maryland. This included two terms as Hardy County Sheriff before the Fisher resident won election to the West Virginia House of Delegates.
Bowers quipped as he introduced the delegate, who runs this year unopposed, that “he did admit that he’s going to vote for himself and he’ll get at least one and won’t feel so bad.”
Ward spoke briefly and finished with it’s “a blessing and a privilege” to speak to “a one of a kind group of folks.” He also stated that his number “is in the book” and that he welcomed calls from constituents.
Bowers then returned to the podium and informed attendees that “we have Roger (Dahmer) and Jimmie (Bennett)” present and thanked the Pendleton County Commission, saying “you’ve been very supportive.” He cited assistance in obtaining a department side by side “which was extremely helpful during the fires.”
When asked if he wished to say a few words, Dahmer responded, “We appreciate what you do. It’s only going to be more needed as tourism increases.”
After the elected officials, George Armstrong from the Veterans of Foreign Wars took the stage. He introduced Steve O’Toole and Alicia Johnston, who then presented the VFW awards.
The VFW gave certificates of appreciation, an award spotlighting a lifetime of service, to Terry Hedrick, Franklin Volunteer Fire Department president, Mike Alt, Pendleton County Emergency Rescue training officer, and John McDougall, West Virginia State Trooper.
O’Toole and Johnston both read descriptions of the outstanding service of each, as well as the salutes to each written on the awards.
As the program continued, Bowers named the officers, administrators, and leaders of the volunteer auxiliary (formerly ladies’ auxiliary.) Fire department officers for 2024 included Roy Bowers as chief, Seth Bowers as assistant chief, Nathan Parker as captain, Tim Hook as lieutenant, and Greg Dyer as training officer.
The slate of administrators included Jeffrey Bowers serving as president, Lloyd Long as vice president, Dennis Knicely as secretary, and Mary Ann Nelson as treasurer.
Auxiliary leadership this year starts with Pat Bodkin serving as president, Amy Cyrier as first vice president, Jane Simon as second vice president, Judy Grimm as secretary, and Sheila Davis as treasurer.
The entire group was sworn in en masse.
Roy Bowers then delivered his remarks detailing the past year, telling a favorite story about Bland’s determination to earn an excellent evaluation on the fire house audit. He then thanked all who had stepped up after her passing to carry on the work of supporting station operations.
“It’s taken about six or seven people to fill the shoes of one woman,” he shared. Chief Bowers then thanked the Pendleton County Commission for its financial support over the year.
The program wrapped up with the presentation of awards by the SFVFD. The first, Junior Firefighter of the Year, went to one of “a couple of guys in the last year who really want to do it.” Caleb Fagans earned that award.
The next award went to Mike Eye, who helped the department meet a state mandate to digitalize a number of administrative functions.
Chief Bowers then took time to honor the contributions of the auxiliary for providing tireless support during a year described as “the toughest one we had,” making food, providing drinks, and also working to step in and do much of the work performed by Bland.
Most Dedicated Fireman went to William Copley, who has been a firefighter “usually at almost every call that he can be at,” while working a full-time job. Nelson earned the Appreciation Award for taking up the task of handling department paperwork. For his leadership, advocacy, and work to secure grants, Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator Rick Gillespie won the Outstanding Service to Community Award. The final award for Outstanding Community Service went to Bob Grimm who “doesn’t quit” and is “a blessing to the community.”
Tim Hook was credited with answering the most calls, 136, while Fireman of the Year went to Seth Bowers.
Jeffrey Bowers then returned to the podium and remarked that in Pendleton County, emergency services “do feel appreciated” by the community.
Captain Parker then gave the benediction, praying, “Keep us safe and in Your arms.”
