It s an ordinary Sunday in this small Texas town. Folks get ready for a day of worship and rest. They meet and greet each other with hometown feelings of care and concern. He is one of those folks, already at church making coffee, getting ready to take roll and study the good book. He was raised in this church and likewise he brought his children to this assembly of Christians. Life is a slower pace here in this country setting, at least most of the time.
The pager sounded. The high pitched squeal was suppressed as he put his hand to the device. Medical emergency, it cackled. County Road 2723, Slidell, Texas. Man unconscious, not breathing. Tim Fletcher immediately responded, knowing it was a neighbor in need.
He makes his way to the firehouse, at the center of town, 294 County Road 2821, located in Slidell, Texas. He slides to a stop and hurries to get to the truck.
She begins her day early. It isn t easy running a small ranching business by herself, but she is alone since the death of her husband. She finished her morning chores and gets ready for church. She usually runs the sound board during services at First Baptist. She is checking the settings in the sanctuary when she hears the tone, then the words.
Slidell-Greenwood Fire Department you have a medical emergency on County Road 2723.
Carla Payne knew all too well the importance of medical response being quick. She remembered the day a response team had come to try to save her husband.
She climbs back in her truck and never thinks about the problem she might encounter for herself. She only thinks of a person who is in need and the family that is waiting for the response of the fire department.
Adam North climbs out of the shower and is getting dressed for services. He is a licensed paramedic. Younger than most of the volunteers, his day job involves a rescue unit and fire department in a neighboring town. His love of the fire department, paramedic and rescuer is a lifelong love.
As soon as the pager summoned his attention, he sprang into action. His focus is on getting to the truck with the rest of his friends who give of their time to volunteer. He wondered, as he always did, which of his neighbors was in need.
They converge at the firehouse and move quickly, in unison. The truck roars to life as Fletcher takes the wheel. Payne runs the sound, the siren screams and they rush to County Road 2723. Charles Munson is not conscious; no breath, no pulse, no life. His daughter, Karen Moore, is giving CPR and they take over, but no response. They work feverishly to save this man. Finally, their decision is to use the AED; it is charged and everyone stands clear while the shock is administered. The current dispensed to restart his heart is successful and the rhythm of life begins again. Wise County Medical I and Rescue I arrive and Munson is then transported by air ambulance rescue IV to Denton Regional. He is expected to recover completely.
They have regular jobs like you and me. Pruett is a farmer. Fletcher owns and operates a feed mill and store. Payne has a passion for flying, and she ranches on the side. Adam North works as a paramedic for the Krum Fire Department and is studying to become a doctor. Steve Pruett works in the construction materials business. Many others, also members of the department, work in various capacities. They know, however, that at a moment s notice, their day of work or their night of sleep may be disrupted by the call of the pager. The group of men and women who comprise the Slidell-Greenwood Fire Department are volunteers in the greatest sense of the word.
Grass fire is the enemy of dusty towns during the drought that has plagued Texas. They respond during the season when no moisture falls and a fire call goes to outlying communities to help those who have been ravaged by the fire, including the one that destroyed the whole town of Ringgold. They also fought the fires that threatened Boyd, Graford and Boonsville. During these days of scorching heat and ferocious fires, these unselfish individuals go without sleep for 24 to 36 hours to help people they have never met nor will they ever meet. They just know when the call comes, they will answer. In their own town of Slidell, a town meeting is held to explain the dire situation and make plans to evacuate the town s school and the elderly in case the unthinkable happens. They are prepared, proactive as well as reactive, according to the need.
When the cry comes over the pager announcing a vehicle wreck, an urgency like no other is involved. Their minds relive other difficult times, painful situations and unsure outcomes. A young man lost in a wreck as he was going home, his own father one of the responders. A couple with a new baby, sideswiped and sent careening over the side of the bridge, was cared for by the Slidell-Greenwood Fire Department. The only survivors, the mother and child, the father were fatally injured. The wreck is mangled metal, broken glass and shattered lives. They have to work the wreck, quell emotional fears (theirs and the victims) and administer lifesaving techniques to those injured. Not only do they work the wreck, but many more times than not, they go to the hospital and sit and wait with the family members, offering a friend to lean on, a shoulder to cry on.
On an ordinary Sunday in this small Texas town of Slidell, Feb. 25, 2007, the Bible lesson is about the distinguishing marks of a Christian. It is not selective in service or love and has unselfish concern for others, just as Christ did for all mankind. It teaches that we are to meet the physical and spiritual needs of other people. This morning, Feb. 25, 2007, as all other mornings, the Slidell-Greenwood Fire Department doesn t just study this lesson, they live it.
Members of the Slidell Greenwood Fire Department include: Adam North, fire chief and licensed paramedic; Tim Fletcher, assistant fire chief; Rodney Yard, captain; Carla Payne, captain; Bert Pruett, lieutenant; Troy Fortenberry, lieutenant; Melinda Aaron, public relations officer; Benny Bland, firefighter; Bradley Boone, firefighter and licensed paramedic; Glen Cassity, firefighter; Bodie Cole, firefighter; Dustan Fennell, firefighter; Steven Fennell, firefighter; Chris Fletcher, firefighter; Eric Fletcher, firefighter; Amelia Mercer, firefighter; Charles Mercer, firefighter; Brian Moore, firefighter; Steve Pruett, firefighter; Jack Teague, firefighter; M.L. Teague, firefighter; Michael Yard, firefighter; Johnny Zuniga, firefighter.
