A SPECIAL LETTER OF GRATITUDE - From Fire Chief Stephen A. Heath

(02/25/2003)
On February 16th Calhoun County was hit by one of the worst winter storms in memory. This storm included heavy wet snow, ice, and freezing rain. Which made travel nearly impossible and extremely dangerous, as it coated roadways and brought down numerous trees throughout the county.

The result of the storm as we all know, was the almost total closure of every roadway within the Grantsville area. At the height of the storm virtually the entire county was with out electrical power and telephone service.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the members of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department for there service and dedication to the community they serve.

Firefighters David Johnson, Ed Tingler and Craig Gherke, after working for several hours in the Grantsville area responded to a request for assistance to the Arnoldsburg VFD to assist them clearing trees from their roads.

Firefighters Al Keesler, Chris Keener, Andrew Johnson, Jr. Firefighters Ryan Bremar, Chris McCormick and Jesse Keesler, remained in the Grantsville VFD district clearing trees from the roadways, until 3 a.m. Monday, at which time they ran out of gas for their chain saws. This group of volunteers returned to the roadways at 7 a.m. Monday when they could purchase more fuel. This group of volunteers returned to the roadway on Tuesday, continuing their service to the community.

On Wednesday department members drove to Charleston. To bring back 800 gallons of bottled drinking water. This water was split with the Arnoldsburg VFD and distributed to citizens of the county who had no power for well pumps.

On Thursday the Grantsville VFD received an additional 400 gallons of water provided by OES Director Bill Stemple Firefighter Jim Yoak and his wife Karen. Remained at the Grantsville VFD station to distribute this water to any one who stopped by. While Firefighter Al Keesler, Jr. members Ryan Bremar, Chris McCormick and Jessie Keesler traveled the back roads of the county distributing water and checking on elderly residents in remote areas. In two cases special trips were made to return and deliver food supplies to families that were virtually isolated. The food was provided by CRI and a Grantsville Church food pantry.

On Friday they continued the water deliveries and well-being checks. On Saturday seeing the need Jim Yoak returned to Charleston, to return with another 800 gallons of water.

Once again the Grantsville VFD members answered the call. On Saturday of this past week, mother nature brought The Grantsville area warmer temperatures and rain. With the warmer temperatures and rain came, melting ice and snow cover. This created ideal conditions for flooding and it did flood.

Firefighters Judy Brannon, Ed Tingler and Jim Yoak began to coordinate efforts Saturday morning in the event evacuation or relocation was needed.

Department members Curt Garretson, Carl Brannon, Jim Yoak, Ryan Bremar, Al Keesler, Matt Kirby, Craig Gherke, Lisa Purvis, June Deuley, and Dave Johnson were on hand from the start of the rain early Saturday evening. They remained at the Fire Station through the night. Keeping an eye on the rising river. Members alerted river front residents of the expected height and time of the river crest.

Members took portable water pumps to some residences to help pump out basements. Used cement blocks borrowed from Hardmans Supply to raise furnishing and appliances. They helped others relocate furnishings to higher ground, and relocate live stock.

A special thanks to Firefighter Ed Tingler who drove his personal vehicle through deep water on River street, to evacuate an elderly resident.

I would like to thank Mike Ritchie of the Calhoun County Committee On Aging for use of their building as a temporary evacuation center.

Thanks to Lisa Purvis for spending the night Sunday at the Grantsville VFD fire hall with a family that was unable to return home that night because of high water.

Also a very special thanks the the parents of Jr. Fire Fighter Ryan Bremar, who took it upon themselves, to come to the fire hall Sunday morning and cook breakfast for the members who have put in a very long and tiring week in service to the community.

I am extremely grateful to the above mentioned members of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, for their service, dedication and sacrifice during our County's time of need.

Stephen A. Heath, Chief
Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department