CURRENT EVENTS
SPECIAL THANK TO ALL WHO HEPED TO MAKE THE BENEFIT FOR ONE OF OUR OWN A SUCCESS. WITH YOUR HELP WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE OVER $2,000 FOR LIEUTENANT BOB SMITH WHO WAS BURNED OVER 15% OF HIS BODY ON FEB. 8TH OF THIS YEAR. THANKS FOR ALL THE DONATIONS AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO EAST ROCKINGHAM FIRE DEPT. FOR THIER ASSISTANCE IN THIS EVENT. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE EMPLOYEES OR RICHMOND COUNTY 9-1-1 FOR ASSISTING AS WELL. MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU
In an accident Feb. 8, Bob Smith of Cordova received burn injuries to his face, neck and chest. At the time it happened, fellow firefighter Scottie Brigman was nearby and came to his rescue.
Recently, Cordova Fire and Rescue presented Brigman a plaque in appreciation for his life-saving efforts.
While working on a car, Smith was involved in an explosion which caused his shirt to catch on fire.
“I was burned on my face, neck, chest, shoulder, ear and arm all the way down to my fingers,” Smith said.
“As soon as it happened, I dropped to the ground to use the stop, drop and roll method but wit h no luck because of the gasoline which had been absorbed into my shirt,” he said.
When he rose to his feet, Smith said his friend, Scottie Brigman, “without thinking of the danger to himself, tackled me to the ground removing the shirt, smothering the remainder of the fire which in turn saved my life.”
When rescue personnel arrived, Smith said it was noted the shirt continued to burn for another five minutes.
“The doctor said that Brigman’s quick thinking and the grace of God are what saved my life,” Smith said.
At a meeting Tuesday night, Cordova Fire and Rescue Chief Ray Webb and other department members honored Brigman for his bravery “and willingness to put his life on the line to save mine,” Smith said.
He said he was also very appreciative for the support of all those who participated in a fund-raising event on his behalf Feb. 21 in which $2,000 was raised toward his medical expenses while at the Burn Center in Chapel Hill f or four days.
