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This is the second in a series about the Andrews Volunteer Fire Department.
Small-town fire departments are an essential part in the makeup of rural communities like Andrews. Unlike large cities, these firefighters are not paid for their service, yet they perform with professionalism and compassion.
I caught up with Jake Buchanan, who said he joined the fire department in 1988, along with Bill Bateman and Jim Mathis.
“My father (Jake Buchanan Sr.) was on the fire department and it intrigued me. I had been in the military for three years, serving 13 months in Thailand and other bases in the United States. So, after I got out of the military, I wanted something more with my life, I wanted to help people,” Jake said.
“I was asked to join the fire department and I did,” said Jake, “And later, I joined the Andrews Rescue Squad. I will say that when you become a member of the fire department, you get close to the men you work with, because of the experiences you share, both good and bad. Being a firefighter is similar to being in the military, your best friend is on your left and right. The camaraderie is the same, as you depend on each other to get the job done.”
Jake said, “At first there is a lot of excitement and after you get experienced and complete the training it gets subdued. You realize everything you respond to, it affects someone’s life in a negative manner, as someone is sick, or hurt, or deceased. Vehicles are destroyed or mangled in an accident, or their property is destroyed by fire. Everything they have worked for is gone in minutes.”
Although it is hard for firefighters to see the grief and despair, they take comfort in knowing that they are there to help. Jake said, “It was a wonderful experience being on the fire department and being able to assist someone in need.”
On the wall of the Andrews Rescue Squad building hangs the “Squadman’s Prayer” that reads:
“O’ God, if people are worth so much as to cause Thy Son, Jesus Christ to leave heaven above and be so humble as to be born in a stable, to serve humanity in obscurity, and to be crucified on a cruel cross, yet, by his power of life to rise from the dead. Help me to see the value of life at the end of every call, that I may respond without murmuring knowing that I have made the choice, that I am not driven, but still to know that the call is bigger than I am, that saving life is divine, that human life is sacred, and that only God who gave it can save it; and that in First Aid, I only aid the Great Physician who has in his care the destiny of every soul, and that he aideth me and guideth the skill of every doctor and nurse. O’ God keep the destiny of my soul. Amen.”
– The Rev. Oliver K. Brooks
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.