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PUBLISHER
COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI FIRE and RESCUE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FIRE CHIEF KENNETH MOORE
EDITOR
FIREFIGHTER ANTHONY COLOM
DESIGN & LAYOUT
FIREFIGHTER ANTHONY COLOM
PHOTOGRAPHY
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR / PIO CAROLE SUMMERALL
ENGINEER WES MIMS
FIREFIGHTER ANTHONY COLOM
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
CHIEF OF TRAINING DUANE HUGHES
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR / PIO CAROLE SUMMERALL
ENGINEER WES MIMS
BATTALION CHIEF MARTIN ANDREWS
STAFF
KENNETH MOORE - FIRE CHIEF
MARTIN ANDREWS: A-SHIFT BATTALION CHIEF
CHRIS HANSEN: B-SHIFT BATTALION CHIEF
MARK WARD: C-SHIFT BATTALION CHIEF
NEAL AUSTIN: SPECIAL OPERATIONS CHIEF
DUANE HUGHES: CHIEF OF TRAINING
TODD WEATHERS: FIRE MARSHAL
CAROLE SUMMERALL: FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR / PIO
LINDA HANSON: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE FIRE CHIEF
Columbus Fire and Rescue Department
205 7th Street S.
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-5121
This publication may not be reproduced in whole nor in part without the written permission
of the publisher. Copyright © 2012, Columbus, Mississippi Fire and Rescue Department.
CONTENTS
DILLON:
The New Fire & Rescue Dog.... PAGE 6
TAKING A STAND ON SEATBELT USE:
Hugh Lee Newell’s Story.... PAGE 20
THE CHIEF’S CHAIR: Training,
Prevention, and Best Customer
Service.... PAGE 8
EDITOR’S NOTE: A New
Perception.... PAGE 10
CHILD SAFETY SEATS SAVE LIVES ..... PAGE 9
2011 KIDS FIRE ACADEMY..... PAGE 16
COUNCILMAN MICKENS PARTICIPATES IN PUBLIC
AND ELECTED OFFICIALS DAY AT THE MISSISSIPPI
FIRE ACADEMY... PAGE 22
SMOKE DIVING: CITY PROPERTY BURNED TO MAKE
WAY FOR NEW SPORTS COMPLEX .... 24
COLUMBUS FIREFIGHTERS VISIT MISSISSIPPI’S
BURN CAMP ..... PAGE 26
COLUMBUS FIRE & RESCUE’S 2011 CHRISTMAS
PARTY ...... PAGE 27
25+ YEARS OF SERVICE: FOUR FIREFIGHTERS
RETIRE IN 2011 ..... PAGE 30
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY
SEASONAL FIRES:
Cold Weather Increases Indoor Activites
and A Need For Heat... PAGE 14
FIRE SAFETY MONTH PHOTOS ..... PAGE 28
THE TRAINING SECTION
TRAINING PHOTOS..... PAGE 11
AROUND THE STATION
PHOTOS OF STAFF & FIREFIGHTERS....
PAGE 15 & 23
FEATURESEDITORIAL
SPECIALDEPARTMENTS
06 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121
AAs you all know by now, we have a search and rescue dog named Dillon. Dillon is a four-
year-old Golden Retriever. Jason Purgason, a highly regarded working dog trainer with
Highland Canine Training in Harmony, North Carolina, trained him for a SAR team in
Florida that was manned by volunteer dog handlers. Dillon's original handler could not
continue with the team for personal reasons and Dillon ended up back with Jason at the
kennel. Because most handlers want to train their dogs as a puppy, Jason kept Dillon at
the kennel and used him to help train other dogs and handlers. Dillon was so good at his
job that when I was there to train with him, they let out classes to watch him work. Jason
felt like Dillon had a lot to offer a SAR team and began a search to find him a home. Dogs
of his caliber often sell for as much as five thousand dollars but Dillon was offered for free
to a team willing to take an older dog. We were connected with Highland Canine through
Kathy Doty who worked with Jason on certifications around the south. Funds for dog food,
crates, vet bills, and other pet supplies is provided through Columbus Fire and Rescue's
budget.
Dillon can search using a couple of different methods. He can air scent by sampling the
air for a person's scent regardless of how long the person may have been there. He can
also ground scent by following a person's track, which can be limited by how old the track
may be and the ground conditions. When Dillon searches, he is actually looking for his
toy. The only time he is allowed to play is during training when he has located the person
who has his toy. When he locates the victim he is trained to bark repeatedly until he is
given his toy. I instruct volunteers who hide for his training to hold his toy until I can get to
him, and then they can give him his toy and play tug with him. This is his favorite reward
so it is important to play with him vigorously if you volunteer to hide. Dillon can perform
his search as an area search (overland search) or on a rubble pile simulating tornado or
earthquake damage. This training along with agility training on the agility course at station
two and general obedience training is performed three or four times a week.
As of now Dillon's certification is from Highland Canine and he and I are certified as a
team. If we were a volunteer team, we would be required to have a certification to prove
that we were capable of performing the job. Since we work for the agency that will deploy
us and which also oversees our training, we are not required to have that certification.
However, Homeland Security is in the process of outlining a certification that Dillon and I
will have to attain in order to work with other agencies.
Around the station, Dillon spends most of his day milling around the day room, going from
person to person looking for a pat on the head, or chewing on a rawhide bone. We have
been successful in training him to automatically go to his crate when the tone goes off. He
is usually in his crate for short periods of time, even though he is trained to stay in his crate
for long durations. He spends the night in his crate in the training room.
Dillon eats two cups of Purina One in the morning and two cups in the evening. His usual
feeding schedule is around six in the morning and around seven in the evening. He can-
not have table food because most of it will upset his stomach and in general it's just not
good for him. We are also not allowed to play with him in any manner because this would
eventually affect his desire to search for someone to play with.
Since we have to be ready at all times, Dillon goes with me to work and stays with me at
home. When I'm on vacation he will stay at station one. He seems to like home because
he has plenty of room to run when we go for walks. It is hard to tell which one he favors
most because he loves the all day attention he receives at the station as well. I am fortu-
nate to have the opportunity to work with Dillon and look forward to answering any ques-
tions you might have.
DILLON:THE NEW SEARCH AND
RESCUE DOG
BY ENGINEER WES MIMSwesmail1@yahoo.com
W
THE CHIEF’S CHAIR
Welcome to the new Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine. Thank you to Firefighter Anthony Colom for all his hard work
making this possible, as well as the individuals who took the time to write articles. The personnel of Columbus Fire and
Rescue do so much to make this possible..
A special thanks to the citizens of Columbus, and the Mayor and Council for their continued support of all the services we
provide.
We would like to introduce you to two of the most important and live-saving prevention programs we offer:
1. Smoke Detector program - if you own your home and can't afford one, we will provide you with a smoke detector. If
you are elderly and need help installing a smoke detector or changing a battery, the personnel of Columbus Fire and Rescue
are there to assist. There is no reason for any home to be without these valuable life-saving tools.
2. Car Seat Installation program - our certified technicians will ensure that your children and grandchildren are properly
traveling in secure seats.
This magazine is a tribute to all that the personnel of CFR do, and a way to recognize programs, individuals and the depart-
ment as a whole. Keeping it growing will require the efforts of everyone in the department.
Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine will be distributed throughout the City in an effort to heighten the awareness and edu-
cate the public on what the department does and the many services that we provide. I am so excited about the first edition
and its possibilities. I hope when you, your family and friends see yourself or someone they know, you take as much pride in
it as I do in you.
Columbus Fire and Rescue has many things happening that can have a great impact on the future - National Accreditation, a
State Rating Bureau site visit, leadership training for all officers, recent promotions and new hiring - just to name a few. There
is so much still yet to accomplish, but can never be achieved without the help of so many people.
Our Vision: To Be the Best
Our Goal: Everyone Goes Home Safe
Our Objective: Training, Prevention and Best Customer Service
My closing thought goes to a recent event where I received an honor on behalf of Columbus Fire and Rescue called the
Unsung Heroes Award. Fire and Rescue personnel, here and throughout the Country, truly are the unsung heroes of emer-
gency services. In some ways like the Coast Guard, they go about the business of saving lives and property quietly and often
behind the scenes.
The guest speaker for that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day breakfast left us all so much to think about. He humbled us all by
reminding us that no matter how good any of us are, none of us would be anything without those who came before us. So
as we move forward to the future together, let's be humble but proud; smile, while being thankful and professional, as we serve.
And make the way better for those yet to come.
TRAINING,PREVENTION,
and BESTCUSTOMER SERVICE
BY FIRE CHIEF KENNETH MOORE
Ph
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En
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Wes
Mim
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kmoore@columbusms.org
08 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121 CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECT 09
CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l 09
ACHILD SAFETY SEATS
SAVE LIVESAccording to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximate-
ly 7,500 lives have been saved by the proper use
of child restraints during the past 20 years.
Motor vehicle crashes still remain the number
one killer of children ages 4 to 14 in America.
Children ages 4 to 8 who use booster seats are
59 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash
than children who are restrained only by a seat
belt, according to a study by Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Only 10 to
20 percent of children ages 4 through 7 who
should be using booster seats to protect them
are actually in them. This puts children at an
unnecessary risk of being injured or killed in
crashes because they are simply in the wrong
restraint for their size and age. One study
showed that children ages 2 to 5 who are
moved to seat belts too early have 4 times the
risk of a head injury in a crash. Children ages
4 through 7 are generally too small for adult
seat belts and need a “boost” to ensure the seat
belt will fit securely across their chests and low
across the upper thighs —to help prevent inter-
nal injuries, neck, head and spinal injuries, and
even ejection and death in the event of a crash.
If They’re Under 4’9”, They NEED a
Booster Seat
As children grow, how they need to be secured
in a car, truck, van or SUV changes. For maxi-
mum child passenger safety, parents and care-
givers simply need to remember and follow
these 4 Steps for Kids:
1) For the best possible protection keep infants
in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats,
as long as possible up to the height or weight
limit of the particular seat. At a minimum,
keep infants rear-facing until a minimum of age
1 and at least 20 pounds;
2) When children outgrow their rear-facing
seats (at a minimum age 1 and at least 20
pounds) they can ride in forward-facing child
safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach
the upper weight or height limit of the particu-
lar seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds);
3) Once children outgrow their forward-facing
seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they
should ride in booster seats, in the back seat,
until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat
belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across
the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits
across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they
are 4’9” tall);
4) When children outgrow their booster seats,
(usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall) they
can use the adult seat belt in the back seat, if it
fits properly (lap belt lays across the upper
thighs and the shoulder belt across the chest).
Some parents or caregivers may regard boost-
er seats as a hassle to use or a pain to con-
vince their children to use. But protecting the
ones we love means getting past the tempo-
rary complaints and perceived hassles because
the lives of children really are at risk. Do it
because you love them. Do it because it could
save their lives. Make it the law of your car.
For more information, contact:
Carole Summerall
Fire & Life Safety Education Officer
Columbus Fire & Rescue
(662) 329-5121
EDITOR’S NOTE
A
PERCEPTIONNEWP
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AAs you flip through the pages of our new Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine, we hope that each
and every one of you will appreciate the work that we’ve put into making this publication one that
the city of Columbus and Lowndes County will enjoy, while using it as a guide to better under-
stand fire and life safety.
I was given the green light by Chief Moore in the summer of 2011 to go ahead and get the ball
rolling with this publication. I’d like to thank Chief Moore for giving me the opportunity to help
create this publication, and Mayor Smith and our city councilmen for their support. Chief Moore,
Fire and Life Safety Educator/Public Information Officer Carole Summerall, Engineer Wes Mims,
Chief of Training Duane Hughes, and Battalion Chief Martin Andrews all contributed a great deal
to this issue, and I thank them for their time, help, and support.
In creating and distributing our publication, we hope to educate, inform, and entertain our read-
ers. There’s a perception that we firefighters only fight fires. These days we wear many hats and
perform many duties: we’re firefighters, haz-mat techs, rope and confined-space rescuers, dive res-
cuers, car seat installers, overland search rescuers, arson investigators, fire marshals, inspectors,
fire-safety educators, and emergency medical technicians.
There’s so much about what we do that you, the public, don’t get an opportunity to see. The
Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine will provide you the opportunity to see more of what we
actually do. We intend to make our reality your perception. A NEW PERCEPTION !
We thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the community, and we hope that you will con-
tinue to support us in all that we do.
columbus39702@yahoo.comBY FIREFIGHTER ANTHONY COLOM
10 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121 11
the
training
section
CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l 11
1.
2.
3.
5.
7.
9.10.
8.
6.
4.
1. Engineer Richard McBride2. Firefighter Michael Miller &
Engineer Eric Grant 3. Firefighter Chase
Taylor, retired battalion chief James Earl
Cunningham, retired engineer Mert
Campbell, & Engineer Alan Walker
4. Captain Jr. Lancaster with firefighter
5. Captain Jim Robbins, Engineer Doug Cox,
Firefighter Nathan Knepp, former
firefighter Brian Smith, Captain Bobby
Barksdale, & Engineer Shannon Murphy
6. Engineer Frederick Hargrove 7. Fire-fight-
er Will McReynolds, Firefighter Eric Minga,
& Engineer Frederick Hargrove
8. Captain Jr. Lancaster 9. Captain Jr.
Lancaster with firefighter 10. Engineer
Melvin Junkin & retired engineer Mert
Campbell with firefighters
11. Retired engineer Mert Campbell & EngineerMelvin Junkin 12. Firefighter Nathan Knepp
13. Chief of Training Duane Hughes 14. Firefighter
Shane Darrell, Firefighter Will McReynolds, &
Engineer Melvin Junkin 15. Chief of Training Duane
Hughes, Engineer Ray Whitson with new firefighter
recruits 16. Captain Larry Webber with new firefight-
er recruits.
Photos 1, 5, 6, 7, 12, and 14 by Firefighter Anthony
Colom. Photos 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, and 16 by
Engineer Wes Mims.
11. 12.
13.14.
15.
16.
AAs the temperature outside drops,
Columbus/Lowndes County families take to
the indoors to keep safe and warm. Cold win-
ter weather increases indoor activities and the
need for heating; what they may not realize is
that turning up the heat can increase the risk of
home heating fires. Home fires account for 83
percent of all civilian fire deaths. Heating
equipment is a leading cause of home fires dur-
ing the months of December, January and
February, and trails only cooking equipment in
home fires year-round.
On average, National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) research show that heating
equipment is involved in roughly 70,000
reported U.S. home structure fires, with associ-
ated loss of more than 600 civilian deaths,
almost 1,600 civilian injuries and more than $1
billion in direct property damage.
"While these numbers are frightening, nearly all
of these fires are preventable," said Carole
Summerall, Columbus Fire & Rescue Fire and
Life Safety Educator. "We can reduce the num-
ber of home heating fires in our community be
taking some simple precautions and using heat-
ing equipment properly."
NFPA and Columbus Fire & Rescue recom-
mend some simple home heating safety tips, so
residents can help keep our community safe
and warm this winter.
Space heaters need space; keep all things that
can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture,
at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed
or leave the room. Plug power cord only into
outlets with sufficient capacity and never into
an extension cord. Inspect for cracked or bro-
ken plugs or loose connections. Install smoke
alarms and test them at least once a month;
they can be purchased for less than $5 at many
stores. Always provide adequate ventilation for
kerosene heaters. Burning kerosene consumes
oxygen, and produces carbon monoxide and
other dangerous gases which may cause you to
suffocate. Never leave burning candles unat-
tended and do not use an oven to heat your
home.
Practice home fire safety but most important is
to have and maintain working smoke alarms
and develop and practice an escape plan that
every family knows; they can
double your chance of sur-
viving a house fire.
For more information, con-
tact: Carole Summerall
(662) 329-5121 x 4106csummerall@columbusms.org
SEASONAL FIRES:Cold Weather Increases Indoor
Activities and A Need For Heat
BY FIRE and LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR / PIO
CAROLE SUMMERALL
14 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121
FIRE & LIFE SAFETYP
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AROUND THE STATION
1. Engineer Brad Alexander 2. Captain Mike Chandler 3. New recruit Firefighter Terrance Colister 4.
Captain John Fancher 5. Engineer Brooks Pope 6. Engineer Richard McBride 7. Captain Andy Perkins 8.
Battalion Chief Martin Andrews 9. Engineer Ron Musgrove 10. Mrs. Linda Hanson Executive Assistant to
the Fire Chief 11. Engineer Darren Allbritton 12. Firefighter Damon Estes (All photos taken by Firefighter
Anthony Colom except 4 & 8)
1.
2.3.
4.
5.6.
7.
8.
10.11.
12.
9.
KIDS FIRE ACADEMY2011
16 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121
E ACADEMYPhotos by Fire and Life Safety Educator / PIO Carole Summerall
Dramatic lens effect: Firefighter Anthony Colom
1. Engineer Jeff Edmondson with Academy student 2. Firefighter Michael Miller and Engineer Frederick
Hargrove with Academy students 3. Academy students on
Graduation Day 4. Councilman Gavin of Ward 6 present-
ing certificates to Academy students 5. Firefighter
Michael Miller, Firefighter Anthony Colom, Firefighter
Dale Ballard, and Engineer Jeff Edmondson 6. Engineer
Ray Whitson with Academy Student
All photos by Fire and Life Safety Educator / PIO
Carole Summerall
1. 2.
3.4.
5.6.
(left to right) Councilman Bill Gavin - Ward 6,
Fire Chief Kenneth Moore, Firefighter Michael
Miller, Firefighter Anthony Colom, Firefighter
Dale Ballard, Engineer Jeff Edmondson,
E-911 Director Sherry Fancher, Lowndes County
Emergency Management Director Cindy
Lawrence, and 2011 Kids Fire Academy Award
Winners.
TTAKING A STAND ON
SEATBELT USE:HUGH LEE NEWELL’S STORY
BY CHIEF OF TRAINING DUANE HUGHES
FEATURE ARTICLE
Traditionally, leadership in the fire
service has been seen reserved for the
higher ranks. Rarely have foot soldiers
established fire department policy or
vision. Some years back, I was present-
ed with the opportunity to change this
standard. Simply stated, I challenged
firefighters to use seatbelts. Holding
the rank of engineer, I was able to per-
suade many in my department that seat
belt use is not optional. With determi-
nation and a little courage, I proved
that leadership can spring from the
lower ranks.
Some years ago I attended an
Interpersonal Dynamics course at the
National Fire Academy. Dr. Burt Clark
appeared in class and gave a speech
concerning seatbelts and their lack of
use in the fire service. Although I was
not a supporter of seat belt use, the
forcefulness of Dr. Clark’s speech
struck a chord within me. When I
returned to my department, I
described the class to my station crew.
After detailing the wonderful experi-
ence of the preceding two weeks, I
mentioned Dr. Clark’s speech. I
remember telling the guys how I
thought Dr. Clark was fighting a lost
cause. “Not a lost cause, a just cause,”
responded then Battalion Chief,
Truman Oswalt. Chief Oswalt was a
long-time member of our department,
and was affectionately known as
“Hobby” by the guys. Hobby directed
me to the hallway of our number one
fire station. Arranged along the walls
were pictures detailing the exploits of
our department. Some of the older
pictures dated back to the late 1800’s.
Hobby pointed towards an old black
and white photo. The framed picture
showed a firefighter in an old-style
dress uniform. Fastened to the bottom
of the frame was a small metal tag
which read, “Hugh Lee Newell - Sept.
11, 1931 / Oct. 1, 1972 - Our Friend.”
Hobby stared at me and said, “I think
you need to hear Hugh Lee’s Story.”
Hugh Lee Newell was a driver with the
Columbus Fire Department. The
apparatus was of the open-cab style,
and had no seatbelts. The captain and
driver sat up front, while the firefight-
er stood on the tailboard. In October,
1972, Hugh and his crew were
responding to an emergency call.
While making their way through traffic,
disaster struck. Swerving to avoid
another vehicle, the front wheels of
their apparatus struck the street curb.
The firefighter was thrown from the
tailboard, and narrowly missed being
run over by the rear wheels. The cap-
tain maintained his seat, but Hugh was
not as fortunate. Thrown from his
position behind the wheel, Hugh land-
ed in the truck’s path. Unable to avoid
his own vehicle, he was run over and
killed.
While devastating, Hugh’s death
moved all the firefighters to action.
Firefighter safety became the rallying
cry for all who experienced the pain of
Hugh’s passing. Their impassioned
pleas resulted in the retrofit to cabs of
all Columbus Fire Department vehi-
cles. This victory fell short of includ-
ing seatbelts. The battle for seatbelts.
The battle for seatbelts continued to
rage on until 1984, when the retrofit of
seatbelts was approved. Even this vic-
tory came with it’s own set of prob-
lems. Because of liability issues, the
City Garage and other local repair
shops refused to install the seatbelts.
Having come so far, the men refused
to surrender the fight. Chief
Kenneth Moore, while still the depart-
ment’s Training Officer, installed the
first few seatbelts himself. Wearing full
turnouts and seatbelts became stan-
dard procedure whenever an apparatus
left the station. It was through these
actions that the firefighters gave mean-
ing to Hugh’s death. The men of the
Columbus Fire Department pledged
themselves to safety, and strived to
never again lose another friend to a
preventable death.
After hearing the story of Hugh Lee
Newell and the department’s struggle
for safety, I felt ashamed. How had
attitudes in my department strayed so
far from the ideals of 1984? Seatbelt
use was no longer a battle cry, just a
tired safety message. I believed that the
lack of seatbelt usage in my depart-
ment was an insult to the memory of
Hugh Lee Newell. How many times as
a firefighter had I refused to buckle up,
believing it slowed my response time?
How many times as a driver had I
pulled away from the station, knowing
that my passengers were not secured
by seatbelts? I began to demand that
passengers on my truck fasten their
seatbelts. I was often met with resist-
ance, but after hearing the story of
Hugh Lee Newell, most firefighters
agreed to fasten their seatbelts.
Many other drivers began to take a
firm stance on seatbelt use. When con-
fronted with an unbelted captain,
Driver Mike Chandler refused to pro-
ceed on a call. Later, Mike told me he
was prepared to face dire conse-
quences, but that truck wasn’t moving
until all seatbelts were fastened.
20 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121 CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECT 21
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dhughes@columbusms.org
CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l 21
Convincing stubborn firefighters to
wear seatbelts is no easy task. My argu-
ments for seatbelt use often fell on
deaf ears. Many department membes
resisted change, and saw the story of
Hugh Lee Newell as ancient history.
Several fire-
fighters weren’t
born until well
after Hugh’s
death in 1972.
These younger
firefighters sim-
ply couldn’t
relate to Hugh’s
story. That all
changed with a
visit from Mrs.
Deana
Vernon.
An opportunity
for change came
one station
m a i n t e n a n c e
day. I washed
the trucks as
younger fire-
fighters cleaned
the downstair
quarters. Mrs.
Vernon entered
the station with
her young
daughter fol-
lowing closely.
She remarked
that the child
loved fire
trucks, and
asked about the
possibility of a
tour. Presented
with an oppor-
tunity to leave
our chores and
entertain the
excited child, we
happily agreed.
After viewing
the trucks and
turnout gear, the tour proceeded inside
the station. “Do you know the man in
this picture?” asked Mrs. Vernon, while
pointing to Hugh Lee Newell. “Yes
ma’am. He was one of our firefighters
killed a long time ago,” a young fire-
fighter responded. Mrs. Vernon
hugged her daughter and said, “Hugh
was my father, and I am so touched
that you guys still remember him. I’m
glad his death had some meaning. Just
knowing all you guys can now wear
seatbelts makes me happy.” With tear-
filled eyes, Mrs. Vernon recounted the
media coverage of the department’s
fight for seatbelts. “It was always front
page news. I couldn’t believe it took so
long to get the seatbelts,” she said.
What a victory! Mrs. Vernon accom-
plished in five minutes what I failed to
do in weeks of reasoning. She put a
face on her family’s tragedy, and ended
resistance to seatbelt use for all those
young firefighters. Hugh Lee Newell
would be honored by a new generation
of seatbelt wearing firefighters.
I wish I could say that seatbelt usage is
100% in the Columbus Fire
Department, but that wouldn’t be the
truth. I know that cautionary tales and
regulations won’t change years of
ingrained behavior. What I can say is
that a change was made in my life after
hearing the story of Hugh Lee Newell.
My seatbelt was fastened every time I
climbed into
the driver’s
seat, and my
truck didn’t
move until
every pas-
senger had
his seatbelt
secured. I
know that
with each
retelling of
the Hugh
Lee Newell
story,
a n o t h e r
Co lumbus
f i r e f i g t e r
decides to
buckle up.
Leadership
can spring
from the
lower ranks
of the fire
service. The
fire service
r e g u l a r l y
d i s p l a y s
courage and
determina-
tion when
dealing with
public emer-
gencies. Do
we have the
strength to
display these
same attrib-
utes towards
our fellow
firefighters?
Can we love
another fire-
fighter enough to say, “Buckle Up?”
cColumbus City Councilman, Joseph
Mickens, honored the Columbus Fire
and Rescue (CFR) department by
attending the most recent Elected
and Public Officials’ Day at the
Mississippi Fire Academy.. I was also
attendance.
The morning session began at 8:30
a.m. and was conducted in a classroom
setting. The Academy Director, Reggie
Bell, apprised the class of the
Academy’s policies and procedures, as
well as a wide range of other services
they offer. Additionally, speakers from
around the state of Mississippi
addressed a variety of topics related to
the fire service, including a presenta-
tion by the Insurance Commissioner on
the subject of the insurance rebate pro-
gram and other means through which
funds are available. After the speakers
finished, Councilman Mickens joined
the other officials as they participated
in a tour of the Academy. He then
expressed amazement, as well as inter-
est, in the extensiveness and complexi-
ty of the training facility and all that it
offers.
Lunch was provided by the Academy
and was held in the cafeteria. Then, the
hands-on session of this tour began.
Councilman Mickens impressed every-
one with his performance in the emer-
gency driving course. He drove two dif-
ferent fire apparatuses, where the acad-
emy had set up obstacle courses for
each. I thought to myself, “the next
time CFR is short of a driver, we just
might need to mandatory the
Councilman.” That was just the begin-
ning of what was to follow.
Councilman Mickens was now warmed
up and was eager to experience more.
He proceeded to gear up in prepara-
tion to enter the
h e a t
house, which is a simula-
tion of a burning house. In this simula-
tion, heat and smoke is controlled by
Academy staff members. Councilman
Mickens extinguished the fire. He
proved that he can take the heat—on
the Councilman’s bench, as well as in
turnouts.
The next morning, Councilman
Mickens toured Operation Triple Play,
which is comprised of many different
task force teams from around the state.
This event permitted him the opportu-
nity to actually witness the different
teams in action. Next, Councilman
Mickens participated in a tour of the
display of different task forces equip-
ment. Finally, the grand
finale : Councilman Mickens toured the
Mississippi Emergency Management
Agency (MEMA) facility, which is a
state-of-the-art building where all state
emergency personnel meet and set up
the Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) in the time of an emergency or
disaster. I feel confident that this was a
very rewarding experience for
Councilman Mickens. As a
matter of fact, a quoted state-
ment follows. “Firefighters
are universally loved and
respected. In October 2011,
I had the opportunity to
participate in a workshop at
the Mississippi Fire
Academy in Jackson,
Mississippi, along with
Chief Moore and some of
the City’s finest service-
men. This experience
was both enlightening
and gratifying for me—
every little boy’s dream of
becoming a firefighter. For
the first time, I was able to
better understand the physi-
cal and mental demands of the job.
Not only do they put their own lives at
risk performing the work that is
required, but they are accountable for
the lives of others as well. In most
cases, firefighters are first responders;
therefore, they are responsible for
assessing situations, while maintaining
composure. I must admit, I was more
than a bit apprehensive about entering
a burning building, but quickly devel-
oped a greater level of respect for the
profession. On behalf of the citizens
of Ward 2 and the City of Columbus, I
salute Chief Moore and his entire crew
for the impact they make on our lives
daily.” (JOSEPH W. MICKENS, SR.)
I’m thankful to Councilman Mickens
for agreeing to participate in the
Elected and Officials’ Day and for the
courage displayed during the event. We
appreciate the City’s support, and we
invite all City elected officials to consid-
er participating in 2012.
Councilman Mickens Participates in
Elected and Public Officials Day at
the Mississippi Fire Academy
22 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121
BY BATTALION CHIEF MARTIN ANDREWSmandrews216@yahoo.com
Ph
oto
by
En
gin
eer
Wes
Mim
s
SPECIAL
AROUND THE STATION
1. Engineer Brooks Pope & Engineer Shannon Murphy 2. Captain Jim Robbins, Engineer LaMarcus “Billy
Bob” Phillips, & Engineer Kirk McKellar 3. Captain Jr. Lancaster & former firefighter Earnest Ross (now
with Columbus Air Force Base Fire Dept.) 4. Engineer Shannon Murphy & Engineer Doug Cox 5. Engineer
Susan Snapp, Engineer Jeff Edmondson, & Captain Brett Thompson 6. Firefighter Dale Ballard & Captain
Larry Webber 7. Battalion Chief Martin Andrews 8. Captain Derrick Parnell, Engineer Josh Westbrook, &
Engineer Eric Grant 9. Engineer Frederick Hargrove
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
8.9.
6.
1.
FIREFIGHTERSBURN OLD AND
ABANDONED PROPERTY TO
MAKE WAYFOR NEWSPORTS
COMPLEX
2 4 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121
C - Shiftbattalion chief,
Mark Ward
COLUMBUS FIREFIGHTERSVISIT MISSISSIPPI’S BURN CAMP
2 6 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121
Firefighter Michael Miller and Engineer Wes Mims instructing burn survivor, Jatavis Banks, on how toread a compass, while Firefighter Chase Taylor instructs her sister, Jalisa (bottom), in the same.
1. Engineer Alan Walker & family 2. Retired battalion chief Earl Cunningham, Firefighter Jason Pool, Captain Bobby Barksdale, &
retired captain Jim Ragon 3. Captain Tommy Massey & family 4. Captain Todd Graham & family 5. Captain & Mrs. Mike Gibson
6. Captain & Mrs. Andy Grant 7. Engineer Randall Beatty & family 8. Engineer & Mrs. LaMarcus Phillips 9. Firefighter Michael
Miller & family ( Photos by Fire and Life Safety Educator / PIO Carole Summerall )
COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE’S CHRISTMAS PARTY2011
FIRE SAFETY MONTH
28 l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l (662) 329-5121 29
CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS l COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE MAGAZINE l 29
1.
2.3.
4.
5.6.
7.
8.
9.
1. Engineer Brad Alexander & Captain Jr. Lancaster 2. Captain Jr. Lancaster & Firefighter T.J. Brand with chil-
dren of Franklin Academy 3. Children watching a video in the Fire Safety trailer 4. Children of First Baptist
Church 5. Captain Bud Egger 6. Children of First Baptist Church 7. 80+year-old retired engineer, Lewis
Jaynes, helping out 8. Recently-retired engineer Frank Upton & Captain Bud Egger 9. Captain Bud Egger,
retired engineer Lewis Jaynes, & recently-retired engineer Frank Upton
25+ YEARS OF SERVICE:
FOUR FIREFIGHTERS RETIRE IN 2011CAPTAIN CECIL LOFTON (1979 - 2011),
BATTALION CHIEF JAMES EARL CUNNINGHAM (1979 - 2011)
BATTALION CHIEF MIKE McREYNOLDS (1981 - 2011),
ENGINEER MERT CAMPBELL (1987 - 2011)
1.
2.
3. 4.
1. Retired captain Cecil Lofton & Firefighter Tyler Lofton 2. Retired battalion chief James Earl Cunningham 3. Retired battalion chief Mike
McReynolds & Firefighter Will McReynolds 4. Captain Andy Grant, retired engineer Mert Campbell, & Chief Kenneth Moore 5. Captain Derrick
Parnell, Executive Assistant to the Chief Linda Hanson, & Bruce Hanson 6. Captain Bud Egger, Engineer Anthony Smith, retired battalion chief
Ricky Graves, & Battalion Chief Chris Hansen 7. Captain John Fancher 8. Engineer Doug Wiggins, Firefighter Kirk Gayle, Captain Andy Grant,
& Engineer Kirk McKellar 9. Fire Marshal Todd Weathers, Special Operations Chief Neal Austin, & Battalion Chief Martin Andrews 10.
Firefighter & Mrs. T.J. Brand 11. Engineer Kevin Brown, retired captain & Mrs. Cecil Lofton 12. Captain Todd Graham, Captain Mark Connors, &
Engineer Lance Godfrey 13. Retired battalion chief Earl Cunningham, retired battalion chief Mike McReynolds, & Battalion Chief Martin
Andrews 14. Captain Andy Grant & Chief Kenneth Moore 15. Engineer Shannon Murphy, Engineer Doug Cox, Firefighter Steve Loden, & Captain
Brett Thompson 16. Engineer Doug Wiggins & Battalion Chief Mark Ward
5.
6.
7.
10.
9.
8.
11.
12. 13.
14.
15. 16.
TRAINING, PREVENTION, &
BEST CUSTOMERSERVICE