Volunteer Spotlight
I’d like to introduce you to one of our county’s long-time volunteers, Bill English. Bill has served Jasper County for 18 years and is the captain for Station 7 on the north side of the county on Hwy 142.
Born in Hartwell, GA and raised in Covington; Bill has raised his family here in Jasper County. When not serving as a firefighter/EMT he is the superintendent of Fleet Maintenance for the city of Conyers where he has worked for 30 years! Bill has a 21-year old daughter Lacey and is a proud Grandpa to 18-month old Delilah.
Bill is certified as a Firefighter II, EMT-Advanced, Haz-Mat Technician, Safety Officer, Fire Evaluator, and is highly skilled in extrication. Bill is an experienced officer who leads with a calm and quiet resolve; I have never seen him rattled. He has also been awarded with Officer of the Year while with Jasper County Fire Rescue.
When I asked Bill about memorable moments with the fire department he mentions how difficult it is to pick out any one or even a few things that stand out.
But what does stick with him is the brotherhood. For Bill, that time was January 2016 when his 21-year old son Aubrey was in a fatal car accident. Aubrey, also a volunteer firefighter with Jasper County was following his Dad’s example in giving back to his community to help those he could. Bill remembers how the department surrounded him with love, support, meals, and fund raisers.
I asked Bill about what he wished the community knew about our department and its volunteers, “I wish they knew just how much we cared for our community; that even though the state requires more and more from us to stay qualified that it is worth it to be able to answer the call. We’re not just volunteers, we are professional firefighters who volunteer our time and skills to the community we love.”
Have YOU considered joining the fire department? I won’t say you won’t miss any meals or lose any sleep; but I will say it is one of the most rewarding and fun ways to serve your neighbors and community! Come check us out! The link below has our training nights as well as sign-ups for CPR classes.
BOOKMARK! www.tinyurl.com/JCFRcpr to sign up for CPR classes as well as reserve a time for a Child Seat safety check or install. We’re on our way to having Jasper County 100% CPR trained!
