As Memorial Day was approaching a few weeks ago, I was asked by Chief Lonnie Sensenich of the Carrollton Fire Department, with who I also volunteer, to accompany him to a few cemeteries around Carrollton to put Fire Department flags on the graves of past firefighters of Carrollton FD. So of course I said I’d be honored, and he and I and Captain Ron Nolke set off with a list of names and maps of the locations of the graves. The three of us had a great time reminiscing and telling stories about some of the firefighters on the list. Those guys, although not with us in person anymore, are still with us in the lessons they taught us and the legacies some of them left behind.
Two of the graves that I placed flags on that day were my mentors. I started volunteering for the North Central Carroll Fire Protection District in Bogard in 1992. This rural fire protection district was formed in 1986 as the first fire protection district in Carroll County with the help of two of my mentors, Joseph A. Jackson and Billy Martin. When I joined North Central, Joe was our Training Officer. He was a no-nonsense type of guy with a vast knowledge of the fire service and a lot of connections around the state, but he taught me everything I needed to know as a firefighter and helped and encouraged me to become active in the FFAM. His question to us at EVERY training night was, “Ok, you can do it here tonight, but can you do it when you’re half asleep at 2 o’clock in the morning?” We still recite these wise words.
Another great mentor of mine was Billy Martin. Billy was my Chief for a few years at North Central. He and Joe were great friends and both served on the Carrollton FD before joining North Central. In 1999, Billy retired and the Board, at his recommendation, appointed me as Fire Chief in his place. We had a retirement barbeque at the station in Bogard in honor of his dedication to the fire district. After the meal, he motioned me to follow him around the corner of the station and in private he said, “I want to give you something.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold money clip that looked like a miniature replica of his Chief’s badge. He handed it to me and with a bit of a grin said, “This is all I have to pass on to you as the new Chief. I know it’s small, but it’s awfully heavy as you will soon find out.” Man, was he right! Wiser words were never said.
So, I truly believe that I have succeeded in being the Fire Chief for North Central for 24 years now, because of the lessons I learned from those two great men that I’m proud to call my mentors. They both stressed the importance of helping others in need and especially other fire departments. So, now several years have gone by since they passed, but I still do what I do because of what they taught me. I’ve become more active in the FFAM serving as District 11 Director and trying to offer help in any way I can to my neighboring fire departments. In May, I got to go to the Hale Fire Department’s Station 2 in Avalon for a Fish Fry fundraiser. The fish was awesome, but the fellowship with those guys and gals was even better. The Hale Fire Department has gotten a good group of dedicated volunteers that are very new to the service. So, with them being my neighbors, I try to help whenever I can. I think ol’ Joe and Billy would approve.
So, in closing, I ask you, “Who are your mentors?” Talk about them around the firehouse and the lessons they’ve taught you. Tell the stories. Listen to the Old Timers. Help your neighbors, especially your brothers and sisters in the fire service.
As always, let me know if there’s anything I can do to be of service to your departments. Until next time, stay safe!
FFAM
