By Stephen Smoot
A very tired and very hungry band of brothers filed into Franklin’s community building Saturday night after responding to four calls in 24 hours. They came to celebrate another year of hard work and success in protecting the community, while honoring those who serve.
The first call from Friday evening came at 6:59 p.m. and Franklin Volunteer Fire Department’s rapid response likely saved a home. According to the FVFD’s Facebook page, the call referred to smoke coming from a residence. The “apparatus responded and found there was no fire,” but did locate a potentially dangerous situation where a space heater plugged into a power strip caused an overload.
“As a reminder, electric heaters are not to be used with any power adapters,” the page stated.
Three hours later, FVFD responded to a vehicle accident on Petersburg Pike that, fortunately, produced only minor injuries.
The next morning, FVFD joined South Fork Volunteer Fire Department to contend with a chimney fire at a residence on Pitsenbarger Road. Three hours later, they worked with Pendleton County Emergency Rescue on an EMS assist.
More than 100 people came to the event as social hour opened at 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening. They were greeted by a table loaded with appetizers ranging from fruit and vegetables, to several types of sliced sausages, cheeses, and crackers.
At about 6:30, attendees took their seats and joined Allen Sisson in prayer as he prayed “bless each of them and everything that they do” for the first responders present.
Next Terry Hedrick, president of FVFD, started dismissing attendees to enjoy the sumptuous buffet provided by Buffalo Snow. They rolled out a spread of roast beef, Italian grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and beef gravy, macaroni and cheese, salads, homemade rolls, and a variety of desserts, including homemade red velvet cake, cookies, and more.
As guests finished their dinner, David Basagic made a toast to first responders present. He started by stating that “100 years ago was the great fire of Franklin,” then asked “could you imagine fighting a fire 100 years ago with the equipment they had then?”
He closed with “I for one want to thank you very much . . . you do your part to keep our families safe.”
Basagic then introduced guest speaker Mark Stewart, deputy state fire marshal and director of the Plan Review Division of that agency’s office.
Stewart, who has given 42 years to the fire service, opened by giving “insight on what the State Fire Marshal does,” especially beyond the purview of arson investigations, which represents only part of its set of tasks.
Other jobs of the agency lie in investigating schools, prisons, day cares, hospitals, and other entities that provide similar public services. His office reviews structural plans, while others review complaints.
Stewart explained that the fire service must continue to focus on bringing on the next generation of firefighters. “I was born in the fire service,” he said, noting that his father and grandfather had also served. “That’s the secret,” he stated, adding that “we have to make our own firefighters,” especially from the families of those already serving.
Finally, Stewart shared stories about his work with legendary Phoenix fire chief Alan “Bruno” Brunacini. He told that Brunacini, whose guiding principles were “prevent harm, survive, and be nice,” came repeatedly to West Virginia to train and mentor.
“He was a great instructor,” Stewart remembered, adding that “he taught once for 16 hours off of one business sized card.”
Stewart closed with words of advice for younger firefighters. He said, “I challenge you to find a mentor in your field. Their job is to train you to take their positions,” then finished with “hang out with good people.”
When Stewart concluded his remarks, Hedrick took to the podium again to ask that previous members please stand. After the guests recognized their contributions through applause, the installation of officers took place.
For 2024, Hedrick will serve as president. Vice president will be Bobby Murphy, secretary is Evers Turner Jr, Mary Ann Nelson is treasurer, and Doug Rose will be bugler. Richard Nelson will be chief with Andrew Bodine as assistant chief, Brian DiFalco as captain, Doug Hartman as first lieutenant, Warren Hedrick as second lieutenant, and Darren Hedrick as safety officer.
Next, Terry Hedrick recognized those who had earned recognition for special achievement in years of service, including Paul Mallow with 57, Noah Mallow with 56, and Bruce Minor who has given 54 years. Additionally, Evers Turner Jr has worked 45, Richard Nelson 30, Darren Hedrick 25, Susan Hartman 10, and T. J Bogan for five.
Winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award was Warren Hedrick, who “came forward and helped the community a lot,” as Terry Hedrick shared, adding that he helped the fire department considerably, including through the recruitment of six new members.
Doug Rose won Firefighter of the Year award, while a new recognition, Officer of the Year, went to Turner. Terry Hedrick noted of the officer that “he keeps things straight for us.” He then recognized Jared Kimble of T&K Markets and Jason Kimble of Pendleton County Outdoors as significant community supporters.
Of T&K Markets, Terry Hedrick explained that “we call on them and they come running,” while Pendleton County Outdoors steps up to help with raffles.
On the schedule of events handed out before the dinner, one section read “Special Presentation” and included the names Gene Boggs and Austen Whetzel, but gave no further indication of what might take place. Attendees burst into laughter and clapping when they learned that Whetzel had volunteered to temporarily sacrifice his lengthy full beard to help raise funds for the department.
Terry Hedrick quipped that Boggs would have an opportunity to exhibit his barber skills.
Originally, Whetzel had set $1,000 as the benchmark for money raised to sacrifice his years of work growing it. By the evening of the dinner, however, the amount raised exceeded $1,300. Jared Kimble then leapt up and exclaimed that the room should help to put the total about $1,500 and took a hat around to collect.
Attendees added $422 for a grand total of $1,767.
Whetzel took a chair in the rear of the room as Boggs carefully shaved his facial locks. A crowd gathered to cheer, and in some cases film, the event.
After the fun of watching Whetzel’s face emerge clean shaven for the first time in many years, Chief Richard Nelson closed the night with a few serious points. He said, “2023 was a rough year for us. We learned a lot of things about ourselves.” Nelson discussed the impact of the brush fires, saying they were “a real learning experience for us” then praised neighboring regions for effective mutual aid.
But the bulk of his remarks went to thank those who provided vital support. “Our community has come out and supported us,” he said, saying also that “we have gained the community’s trust back.” Also, he noted that the department had gained seven total new members, saying “We need that desperately.”
Nelson saved his last statement of appreciation for the spouses, children, and other family members of volunteers. He reminded all that “without support at home, we couldn’t give time to the community.”
“Thank you all,” he concluded.
