UNSUNG HEROES 2024
Ronnie Bales , standing , served as Chief of the Keavy Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years . Now the department is being led by his son , Mike , seated , and continuing a family tradition .
before pagers and cell phones — and even the 9-1-1 emergency system were in place . “ We had a dispatcher , Dennis Eaton . Dennis had lost his eyesight in Vietnam but serving as dispatcher gave him a feeling of community spirit . People would call the dispatcher and they ’ d blow what we called the ‘ fire whistle .’ We had CB radios that we used to find out where the fire was ,” Richard said . “ Ronnie had a base phone in his house . You could tell when the fire line was ringing because it had a constant ring .
“ Ronnie spent most of his time at the fire department , probably too much time ,”
Richard continued . “ It was his life . But he loved it . He was also active in forming the Laurel County Fire Alliance and was president of it for years until his death .”
The Fire Alliance was beneficial in that it combined all the community fire departments .
“ Before the Alliance , people would just go to the county judge and ask for what they needed . Then one would find out what they ’ d asked for and then they ’ d go ask ,” Richard explained . “ With the Alliance , it helps distribute money more fairly among all departments .” The love for being a firefighter is a feeling of satisfaction , Mike said , of helping someone in a time of need .
“ It ’ s an internal thing — that feeling of satisfaction that you ’ ve helped somebody ,” Mike said . “ Knowing that you ’ ve saved a life , or saved an animal or helped someone get out of a wrecked vehicle . It ’ s just good to help people that way .”
Both Mike and Richard Bales said although some people suffer from PTSD from the situations they deal with as firefighters , they find consolation in sharing their emotions with their fellow members .
“ After we finish a call , we go back to the station and talk about it ,” Mike said . “ We sit around the table and air things out and that ’ s helped me .”
As Chief , Mike Bales ’ role is pretty specific . Besides assisting on calls , he is responsible to keep the equipment in good shape and oversee the financial aspects of the department ’ s operations .
“ When there is a call , I have to make sure everyone comes back home safe ,” he said . “ We help the community . We get and give assistance from the
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