Chapter 9 - PERSONALITY PROFILES

CHAPTER 9

PERSONALITY PROFILES

Here we go. This chapter will be devoted to both humorous and some serious anecdotes of interesting people who long ago physically moved away from the ORFD but have remained as those ghosts that appear every time the men get a moment to (R&R) relax and relate. Attempts have been made to define the fraternal relationship that develops among members of the fire service as they toil together as a unit, some for many years. It could be that they live together in the firehouse almost as much as with their families. It could be that together they often face danger and sometimes death. Their safety and possibly their lives depend on the actions taken by their brother and sister firefighters. They have together viewed the tragedies suffered by those they have taken an oath to serve, the victims that have received injuries or died in a fatal automobile accident, lost all their possessions in a tragic house fire, or some other peril. They suffer, they labor, they laugh together. They will argue and debate until they lose their breath. But let an outsider threaten one of the brethren and they will unite for the cause until the last man drops. It is in this light that I pen these profiles of my friends, my brother and sister firefighters, present and past.

WALTER (MAW) TURNER - If you attempted to describe Maw in one word it would have to be "Cocky". He stood about 5' 7" physically. In all other aspects he was eight feet tall. His hobbies were growing flowers, cooking, and bragging but not necessarily in that order. He polished marble at a Knoxville quarry before coming to the ORFD. He took pride in his profession. He knew and could repeat the name of every pig path in and around the city but would climb the wall looking for a location on the map when the tone sounded. He delighted in delivering cut flowers to his friends in the nursing homes, the hospitals and to his church on Sunday morning. He also loved for the preacher to comment on his arrangements. If for some reason the preacher forget to mention the flowers, Maw would find some way to remind him before the service ended. Maw volunteered to be Chief Dail's driver when everyone else refused. He was an excellent cook and could put three delicious meals on the table for two or three dollars. He would get out of bed about five in the morning, cook bacon, biscuits, gravy and eggs and slip up stairs and startle everyone awake with that metal spoon and dishpan he used. Maw smoked twist tobacco in a pipe. He could clear a building a few minutes after lighting up.

SAMUEL (SLIM) MILLER - Slim arrived from Lenoir City. He was one of those people who had enough self confidence to try anything and there wasn't many things left that he hadn't. He was been a card carrying fee grabbing deputy sheriff in Loudon County, and he had many stories about the arrests he assisted in making out on those remote lovers lanes. I believe these episodes were his only attempts to uphold the law in his official capacity. He had a minimal formal education but he had educated himself in many areas. He was an accomplished electrician and practiced this trade around his hometown. The department members took a course in Electrical Theory and Practice given by Roane State Community College.

Slim loved to quiz the younger men on the subject. He may ask one of them how they would wire a three-way electrical switch. When the man related that he could not tell him how to install the switch, Slim would lean back in his chair and proceed to tell the rookie in detail how he would accomplish this task. He was putting the young man in his place and teaching him a valuable lesson at the same time. The old man was still capable of showing the youngster many tricks that he was yet to learn.

Slim loved to pull practical jokes on his fellow workers. He and Maw Turner, both scoundrels, had worked together for many years. They would team together and practically assassinate other members of the department when an opportunity arose. Jim Melton, a member of their company, was often one of their victims. Jim was a very competitive but naive individual. They would lure him into a game of cards, either Rook or Rummy, and Slim somehow always managed to be Jim's partner. Slim was a master of deceit. Slim would lose the game intentionally without Jim ever becoming aware of any underhanded motives. Jim often became so angry he would tear the cards or throw them across the room. He never learned that he had been had.

Occasionally the hunter becomes the hunted. Slim had bragged that he was a light sleeper. Everyone that had worked with him knew he could sleep lying on a rock. On a Sunday afternoon four of them slipped into the dorm where Slim had laid down on his cot to nap. He snored so loud he sounded like a steam locomotive beginning to move under a heavy load. The men carried an old lifeline rope up to the bed and wrapped it around and around the cot tying Slim fast to the bed. Then they called the dispatcher and had him sound the alarm tone. Slim never again bragged of being a light sleeper.

Captain Ken Fritts and Slim attempted to enhance Maw Turners flower garden. They spread ammonium nitrate on the lawn in the shape of the Maltese Cross. They forgot to water the project and when it had not rained for a few days the grass died in the shape of the cross. Deputy Chief Brock discovered the deadened grass shaped like a cross. He immediately thought some subversive organization was delivering a message to the department. He ordered an investigation. When questioned by the detective both denied any knowledge of the incident. Later Slim copped a plea bargain without Captain Fritts being aware of the confession. After more questioning a young officer learned the penalty of not being totally truthful . He was given some time off to think about it.

I wrote earlier of Maw Turner waking everyone in the morning by beating a metal pot with a huge metal spoon. The men had warned Maw that if this evil act did not cease he would suffer dire consequences. This only caused Maw to rise earlier and beat the pot harder. One morning three of them were waiting as Maw entered through the door into the dorm with spoon and pot in hand. They gagged him and wrapped him in a blanket and tied him with a rope. They carried and placed him on his bed. They then went downstairs and ate the breakfast Maw had prepared. The men washed the dishes and did the morning chores. When the other shift arrived for duty no one said a word.

They departed leaving Maw upstairs tied up on the bed. A while later when one of the oncoming men went to the dorm he saw this wad of blanket struggling on the bed. That was the last time Maw ever carried the spoon and pot into the bedroom. It was also days before he prepared breakfast again.

Slim always felt he had pulled one on the city. The fire department members were required to get a tuberculosis skin test. This was administered by the City Health Department. Slim was so named because he looked for the world like a stoop-shouldered Abe Lincoln. The results of Slim's test came back positive. They asked Slim to provide a spittle sample. He did not refuse to carry out the order, he just didn't do it. The city forced Slim to take sick leave until he was willing to comply. He stayed away for months. Without the knowledge of the city officials, Slim had gone to a well publicized lung specialist, a Doctor Waterman, to be examined and for treatment if necessary. Slim told that Dr. Waterman's report stated he had no medical problem. He said he worked every day he was off and he received his paycheck from the city regularly. He brought his medical report to the city when the sick leave had almost expired and returned to work as if nothing had ever happened.

Years later Slim was injured in a fall at the drill tower while descending the metal steps. His hip was broken as a result of the fall. He was forced to take medical retirement. Not long thereafter, Slim accidentally fell from a window opening in a newly constructed house. He died as a result of that accident.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (PAPPY) SUDDARTH - Pappy came to the department from Knoxville. He had been employed by Mann's Funeral Home. He worked for Mann's part time after coming to the department. Pap stated his father had been the chief of the Knoxville Fire Department when he was a young boy. He said the only time he ever saw his dad was when he came home for meals. No one ever knew if he meant his dad was on duty all the time or if he just seldom came home.

Pappy was a big barreled-chested, dark complexioned man who must have been the cats meow when young. He loved the women and he loved to dance and he did both quite frequently. He had been married years before and had children. I am not sure how many but I recall him talking about a son who lived in Florida. Pap held the rank of Captain when he retired from the department. Pap always seemed to be just a little shy of fluid capital assets. He liked to party.

One Sunday afternoon Pap was Acting Deputy Chief. The men referred to this as "riding the car." Pap was at Station No. 3 when a report was received by telephone from the dispatcher that unidentified flying objects had been observed near the Y-12 Plant. Pappy jumped into the car and headed toward Bear Creek Road. Later when he returned to the firehouse he said one of the damn things had landed on Bear Creek Road right in front of him. He almost caught it. As he slowed to get out of the car it took off into the air. He never saw it again. He told this story with a great deal of excitement. We all knew he must have observed something he could not identify.

After reporting for duty the next shift we learned from the Y-12 guards that some young teens had been caught on the ridge behind the Garden Apartments filling plastic dry cleaner bags with hot air and releasing them. The wind was carrying them over the Y-12 facility. We never told Pap what we had discovered. Oh, by the way Pappy made an incident report of his response. I wonder if it ever got past Chief Brock's desk.

Pap kind of disappeared after his retirement. A couple of years later he was seen in Oak Ridge. It was stated he was living in his automobile. He had really had a rough go of it. A sad ending for a fun loving person.

WILLIE EDRICK (DIAMOND JIM) SOUTHERLAND - Ed hailed from K-Town. He was one of Cas Walkers boys. Working in produce was one of many details Ed took care of for Cas. Cas had taught Ed well. Ed loved to trade, barter, swap and sell about anything that wasn't nailed down. He was an accomplished fabricator of tall tales and fictitious stories. Ed was a pleasant man to work with. He had self confidence and was a good driver and fair equipment operator. Ed developed a heart condition, (angina), and was forced to take a medical retirement. He and Irene spent their winters in Florida but returned to Oak Ridge every spring. He visited the firehouses regularly. Irene would not allow Ed to smoke because of his heart condition and he would visit early and borrow a cigarette from one of the men. After retirement Ed traveled the flea market circuit. He was an accomplished trader. One occasion he sold a rookie firefighter an antique gold watch. The watch stopped running shortly after the transaction. One thing Ed did not take into consideration was that about one half of the rookie's family had connections to the Fire Dept. Ed reluctantly agreed to give the rookie another watch or refund the young man's money.

One tale Ed told often was about a huge catfish that pulled his boat up and down Douglas Lake until it finally broke his twelve pound test line. What made the story believable was when Ed said he saw scales on the catfish as big as silver dollars. He also told of an automobile wreck he was involved in north of Clinton back in the forties. He said it was a pretty bad accident. He was knocked unconscious and when he awoke he was on the slab in Martins Funeral Home in Clinton. This story might have been true because I heard Cas Walker repeat the same story on his morning television show.

CRAWFORD EUGENE BYRD - Most people referred to Gene as Byrd. Gene came to the department when he was twenty years of age. He and Ross Roberts were the youngest men employed by the ORFD in 1943. Byrd was one of the better operators and many of the Captains desired that he work on their companies. McMahan must have had the most influence because Gene worked for him many years. After Mac was promoted to Deputy Chief, Byrd worked for Captain Vowell. Byrd had to take a medical retirement due to a severe arthritic condition that had developed over a number of years. Byrd is one of the most respected men that has worked in the ORFD. Byrd had lost three fingers in an accident long before coming to Oak Ridge. Some supervisors wondered how Byrd could operate the controls on the equipment with the ease he displayed. Gene and his wife Mildred have two sons Ed and Tom and one daughter Lois.

WILLIAM (TOOTIE BILL) HAYNES - Tootie Bill was a sheet metal worker employed by a heating contractor in Knoxville before his time in the department. Bill traveled at his own pace which wasn't real fast. He stuttered when he talked and this condition became worse when he got excited. Therefore he tried to avoid getting excited. He was capable of accomplishing this most of the time. Bill was short and plump and his wife Glenna was shorter. They loved to dance and they were quite a number on the dance floor. One good story about Bill was told by Bill. He and Glenna were driving in the Smoky Mts. when all at once the traffic stopped. Bill got out of his car with his camera. A crowd had gathered at an embankment near the road. Bill ambled over to see what had caused the commotion. A bear was walking up a gravel path about two hundred yards below the road. Bill walked a short distance below the road and knelt down on one knee to take some photographs. Well you know what happens when you look into a camera viewfinder. Everything appears much farther away than it really is. The bear kept advancing toward Tootie. Everyone was screaming and yelling but Bill was so intent on taking a good photo that he wasn't hearing. Finally Bill lowered the camera and saw a mean hungry looking black bear just a few feet away and advancing toward him. Bill came to work the next shift all scratched and bruised from scooting on the gravel. He said "Bu - Bu- Buddy that was one time 'ole Tootie really moved."

Bill always took a short nap after lunch. One afternoon he sat in the lounge enjoying a cigarette while watching television. He soon drifted off with the cigarette dangling from his lips. Bob Logan started to wake him. David Hope saw what Bob was about to do and he grabbed Bob and pulled him away. The cigarette continued to burn until the ashes hung about an inch on the end. Finally the hot ashes fell onto Tootie's shirt. A little black hole about as big as a dime developed before Bill awoke. Here was another example of Bill shaking an old habit and making like Hank Snow. He ripped a stitch when he hit that ditch, he was moving on.

Then there is this story about the one that didn't get away. Over the years a number of buildings that housed fire houses have been involved in fires. Fortunately for the members of the department these fires have occurred long after the fire department has moved from these locations. Three of these were spectacular fires. These were the East Village Shopping Center, the Jefferson Shopping Center and the Pine Valley Shopping Center. Not so in all cases. One of the company officers is a renowned bass fisherman. He competes with the big boys in the local bass tournaments. Occasionally the firemen at his firehouse get lucky. The Lt. will bring in eight or ten pounds of fish and he will treat the men to a great fish fry. When it comes to frying fish Long John couldn't hold him a candle. His batter is absolutely the greatest.

On this one occasion the Lt. was preparing the evening meal. He had this huge iron skillet about half filled with searing hot cooking oil. He had taken some on the fish out onto a platter and he was up to his elbows in fish batter. As it always seems to occur, the alarm tone sounds. The Lt. rushes to the sink to wash the batter from his hands as he listens to the radio dispatch. It is a reported working signal 2, which is fireman talk for a building involved in fire. Of course it is in his zone. He rushes to the engine, and gets into his bunkers (firemen trousers and boots). He climbs into the cab and off they rush to the scene of the alarm. The correct procedure in the ORFD is that on any structural alarm another company answers into the zone to back up the first due in (assist in extinguishing the fire). The alarm originated in the extreme west end of the city. The second in company was responding from No. 3 firehouse located on Illinois Ave. It took three or four minutes for No. 3 to reach the vicinity of Louisiana Ave. As they approached Bruner Center the driver of No. 3 asked his officer if the alarm wasn't much further west . As they moved down the knoll west of Louisiana Ave. they observed a large column of smoke rising from No.1 firehouse. They radioed the dispatcher to send another company to the firehouse. As they drove past the firehouse they saw flames rising in the kitchen. The other company arrived just minutes later and quickly extinguished the blaze but not before the cabinet over the range was destroyed. There was enough smoke damage to require newly painted walls and cabinet overhaul. The fish did not taste nearly as good that evening.

It is not uncommon for firefighters to pull practical jokes on other firefighters. This is a great way to relieve tension. Some of the more common pranks were to half fill a boot with water or short sheet a cot. There was one prank often pulled at Firehouse No. 3 when a new man arrived. Just before bedtime one of the firefighters would slip into the dorm and attach a transparent mono- filament fishing line to the new mans bed linen. The line would be extended through the ceiling and across and down to a nearby cot. After everyone had retired and the lights were turned out the man in the nearby bed would gently tug the line resulting in the movement of the rookie's bed linens. On one such occasion six or seven pulls resulted in the linens falling to the floor before the rookie discovered what was occurring.

FRANK ROWLAND carried a briefcase to the stationhouse each shift. No one suspected he ever opened it. The members of Frank's company decided to find out if this was so. Each shift they would add a couple of small rocks. About two weeks and five or six pounds were added before he showed up one morning without the briefcase. He never mentioned if he had discovered the rocks.

A firefighter assigned to Station 4 refused to help make the payments on the television set, stating he did not like to watch television. He was observed lying on the floor looking through the stairwell opening at night watching the television. Soon thereafter he was transferred to Station 3.

ARTHUR D. GRANT was no doubt one of the most liked people in the department. Grant was a dispatcher early in his career, After the big lay-off Grant was placed on a company. In 1964 when I became employed, Grant was nearing retirement. He had experienced some health problems and he wasn't moving too rapidly. This I was told was not a new development, he had never moved too rapidly. Arthur was an intelligent individual but he had an unusual method of expressing himself. Grant usually cooked and some of the kitchen terminology he used is still being repeated in the houses today. Words such as Mazzol Oil, bronical spears etc. His reply to questions or greetings was almost always "Yep, Yep, Yep". The number of yeps was directly related how much importance Arthur placed on the subject being discussed.

I will relate two incidents Grant was involved in. Grant was assigned to Co. No. 4 in East Village. If you know the city you know that Anna Rd. where the firehouse was located was very close to the transmission towers of WATO Radio Station. In bad weather the vocal alarm hummed constantly. The brethren had told Arthur that the chiefs had the station bugged. They didn't quite have him convinced until he heard the radio transmissions bleeding over into the telephone. This was the clincher. Any time Arthur saw someone about to use the telephone he would warn them to be careful what they said because was it being recorded at headquarters.

Arthur received a merit increase a few months before he retired. By some payroll department snafu his raise was a great deal more than the five percent maximum he might have received. Indeed he was receiving the same wages as the Deputy Chief. Arthur was one of those people who talked constantly. If Grant knew something everyone around him knew it also. But on this one occasion he mentioned this event to only one other person in the department. This person advised him to not to spend the extra money but to keep it aside until after he retired. On the last pay period before Grant was to retire the payroll department discovered the error. They recovered the overpayment by retaining the money Arthur would have received for his unused leave. When it was told no one believed the story until Ott Beeler reported it to be true.

OTTIS O. (OTT) BEELER would have been better known as Mr. Union. Ott was president of Local 1346 for most of the years he was a member of the ORFD. He served on the Board of Directors of the Tenn. Professional Fighters Association on different occasions. He was known throughout the state and throughout the 14th District IAFF which included the states of the southeastern United States. He was also recognized in the IAFF Headquarters office in Washington, D.C. Ott attended many IAFF International Conventions throughout the U.S.

Ott grew up in Maynardville, Tn. He was working in a mill in Knoxville prior to coming to the ORFD. He was elected the third president of the local. He considered this an honor and he served honorably. Ott had little formal education but he held a Masters Degree from the school of hard knocks. He could and did stand toe to toe and eyeball to eyeball many times with lawyers, congressmen, federal mediators, councilmen, city managers, and labor leaders on local, state and national levels.

He maintained a home spun humor that charmed everyone he met. He was loved and respected by both those who sat beside and across the bargaining table from him. Ott loved country music and played the guitar and piano. He knew Chet Adkins personally and visited him often while traveling to Nashville on business. Ott was a deacon in his church in Oak Ridge. He loved to play practical jokes on friends. He had a warm friendly smile and it was a pleasure to work and travel with him.

WILLIAM R. (ROSS) ROBERTS came to the ORFD from west Knox County as did his father GLEN ROBERTS. Glen was a colorful individual. He took care of his own business and expected others to do the same. Glen was the cook working out of the Gamble Valley house one Sunday back in the mid-forties. A card game was in progress in the dayroom. Glen did not play cards so when he walked into the room and asked everyone what they wanted for lunch he did not understand when some of the men seemed either irritated or uninterested. When someone answered, "Oh hell just get some boloney " Glen took him seriously. He collected the money for the food and left for the grocery store. When he returned he carried the bags into the room. He placed a big roll of unsliced bologna and loaves of bread on the table and stated as he left the room, "Eat till you bust." I had the privilege of being the person employed to replace Mr. Glen Roberts who retired in 1964.

Ross will no doubt hold the distinction of having the longest tenure in the ORFD. He was employed just after his twenty-first birthday in June 1943 and remained until age sixth-five in May 1988. During that time he worked for four different employers while employed by the ORFD. They were Roane-Anderson, Management Services, the Federal Govt. Civil Service and the City of Oak Ridge. The reason it was necessary for him to remain for such a long period of time was to be eligible to receive his full retirement benefits. The city came into being in 1959. Any time prior to that date counted for naught as far as time on the job was concerned for retirement benefits.

Ross was one of the early fire department Dispatchers. He returned to the company when the Police Dept. took over the dispatching duties after the big layoff. No one would dare call Ross stubborn but it must be said that if he believed he was right it would be easier to retrieve snowballs in Hades than attempt to change his mind. One case in point was when the department doled out Kelly days to lower the ninety-six hour workweek somewhat. In a series of three years you would receive 12 days each of two years and on the third year you would receive thirteen days. Ross had received his twelve Kelly days for the two years. The coming year he was to receive the thirteen days. Deputy Chief Dale had devised a new schedule that gave everyone the same number of days on a regular schedule. Earlier the days were scheduled some what haphazardly. Ross started through the grievance procedure. Now you would have had to have lived through this time period to really appreciate what I am about to tell you. The deputy chiefs ceremoniously hand printed this elaborate scroll displaying all 365 days the year contained. The work schedule was displayed for everyone on the shift. Ross and Chief Dale battled for a number of weeks. No one could take vacation during this time until the dispute was settled. Chief Dale attempted to make all the men angry toward Ross to no avail. Ross got his thirteenth Kelly day that year and the deputies had to revise and redo the entire work schedule and the holy scrolls.

HOWARD FARMER was one of the first employed by the ORFD. Howard and his wife, Lucille, came from Clinton. Howard drove a delivery truck for Norris Creamery. This automatically qualified him for a drivers position. Howard was soon promoted to the position of captain. He had been in the department only a few months when he was inducted into the military. He was in a number of rigorous campaigns in the liberation of France as the allies moved toward Berlin.

Howard returned after completing his military duty and expected to be placed in the position he held before leaving. Chief Maples told him this wasn't possible. When Maples found that the U.S. Government had adopted a little old law that stated an military veteran would indeed retain his former position he was irate. He threatened that Howard would not last very long. Well history relates that Maples left shortly thereafter and Howard stayed through the big layoff and until retirement. Justice prevailed.

JAMES (JIM) MOORE was one of the first of the second generation. Jim began employment with the fire department Feb. 19, l960 and retired in July 1985. Jim had a pleasant easy going personality. It took a great deal to get him excited.

Driving a truck had always been one of the pleasures Jim enjoyed. Some said that Jim could change the gears on the FWD without using the clutch. Few people could change them using it. During most of his career Jim had a second job driving a tractor-trailer.

He drove a fuel tanker for many years and later drove for Ryder delivering freight. Shortly before his retirement he and Steve Payne purchased some equipment and became partners in a freight company. Jim drove one of the tractors. One afternoon in January of 1986 Jim was driving a tractor to Brown Transport to pick up a loaded trailer. State highway workers had blocked one lane repairing the road. Jim attempted to switch lanes but could not because of heavy traffic. When he applied the brakes the tractor went out of control and tumbled off the bridge backwards. Jim lost his life in the accident. He died doing what he loved, driving a truck. Jim's wife Shirley lives near Clinton.

CAPTAIN RICHARD MYNATT was the company officer at No.4 Firehouse at East Village during the late sixties. There had been some problems about wearing the proper uniform during duty hours. You would have to have lived through these times to have appreciated the situation. We had dress blues which consisted of wool coat and trousers, white shirt, black tie, cap and black shoes and socks. No exceptions were allowed. We answered roll call in dress blues, changed into work clothes and did the equipment check and quarters clean-up. At nine a.m. we changed back into dress blues for inspection activities or other duties. At five p.m. we were allowed to change back into the casual work uniform for the remainder of the shift. Only white T- shirts were allowed. Captain Mynatt wore white socks. It came to the attention of the deputy chief. Richard was called on the carpet and given a deadline to change to black socks. He missed the deadline. Since he was an officer he was not setting a good example for his men. He was sent home and told not to return until decided to wear the proper uniform. Richard returned the next shift with white socks.

He also had an order from the doctor stating that Richard had a foot fungus that required absorbent white socks to avoid wet feet and bacteria. Chalk up another one for the good guys. Richard has had severe health problems since retirement. He is at this time recuperating from surgery.

RALPH ED HENSLEY was a member of the ORFD for just a very few years but he will long be remembered by the men who served with him. Repeated here are some selected statements taken from a eulogy delivered by Don McGuire at Ed's funeral. Ralph Ed answered his last alarm just after midnight Wed. morning, Sept. 29, 1993. As we visited with Ed in his hospital room many times during these past few weeks we realized his intense suffering and pain as this enemy took its toll sapping the strength and substance from his once strong body. Being unable to do anything to relieve Ed, we suffered the frustration of helplessness. I'm sure this is not the way Ed would have wanted us to remember him. Please indulge me as I remember Ed.

Ed loved his career in the fire service and the men with whom he worked. His unique personality would light up a room when he entered. He was an excellent cook. He learned to cook in the navy and I am sure much was learned from Momma Ambrose. None of us could ever forget the fried chicken dinners he prepared so often in the firehouse. All the things I have related clearly show Ed was always working to please others, his family, his friends, and his co-workers.

One of Ed's simple pleasures was enjoying the Andy Griffith television show. In the evenings at the firehouse the television set was reserved for Ed when he was on duty. There were no exceptions. There was this character on the show named Ernest T. Bass. When someone did something that especially pleased Ernest T. he would say "I love you". Many times Ed has shown his gratitude to others by repeating that statement. I vividly recall him looking directly at me and saying, "Magoo, I luv you." So Ed, old buddy, if you happen to be looking down our way, we would like to say, "We luv you". May God bless.

A man loved and respected by everyone fortunate enough to have met him recently retired from the department. His name is CHARLES WOODS. Charles is gifted in many ways. He is an accomplished carpenter. He is one of the best hunters I have known. He is considerate and compassionate of others. He is a master at storytelling. He can keep a group of people spellbound for hours telling about his growing up experiences, his military time and his hunting adventures. One thing about Charles that really stands out is the way he spends his summer vacations. He has aligned himself with a Christian group that does missionary work in Guatemala in Central America. He gathers clothing all year long. They separate and pack the clothing and when vacation time rolls around they head to their destination with all they have collected. They distribute the food and clothing from Manchal, a small village, to tribal communities in the mountainous areas far inland from the seacoast cities. Charles has assisted in the construction of a hospital, school, and worship centers. He personally built and stocked a small warehouse to store grain to feed the people of the community.

His personal safety and sometimes even his life has been threatened as he and his friends have entered the country during civil unrest. On one occasion as his party was about to depart for home he looked down at the bare feet of a man with whom he had worked and become friends during the past weeks. He felt compassion for the poor man. He sat down and pulled off his boots and gave them to his friend just before leaving. I am sure that Charles would be embarrassed by my telling this story but it relates the true character of this man. I feel it a privilege and an honor to have a friend as Charles.

This chapter on individual personalities could not considered complete without making mention of a very unique individual that is still a member of the ORFD. His gigantic macho ego could only be surpassed by the size of his unselfish heart. His love and devotion are directed first toward his family and secondly to his brother fire fighters. If you are presently a member of the department you must have recognized by now that I am speaking of none other than ROBERT (ROB) SPIRES.

Rob grew up in south Knoxville. His home was located near the banks of the Tennessee River. One of Rob's many talents is his ability to tell interesting stories and jokes. Some of his best stories are those of the boyhood adventures he shared with his nephews, Gary and Dwayne Terry. Only through God's infinite mercy could either of the three of them have reached adulthood. Rob attended South High School in Knoxville where he excelled as a member of the football team. After he completed high school he attended East Tenn. State University where he also played football. His restlessness and desire for adventure took him away from school and into the US Marine Corps. When basic training was completed Rob was dispatched to South Vietnam where he was assigned to a troop vessel that carried men from the large ships to inland assignments. His vessel came under fire numerous times as they conveyed the troops to their inland destinations. GARY TERRY was a member of the US Air Force during this same time period. Gary was also assigned duty in South Vietnam and he attempted and was successful in locating Rob. These boyhood friends were reunited on the opposite side of the planet for a brief visit. Top that one if you can. Rob tells some interesting stories of some very narrow escapes while serving in S. Vietnam.

Gary traveled cross country on a Harley after completing his military duty. He states he took plenty of time making the trip and discovered his inner being while making his way home. Both of them eventually were employed as members of the ORFD. They also have become quite successful as partners in their building contracting business. Over a number of years their company has employed many of their brother fire fighters. During the 1970s they and a group of fellow firemen aligned together to build homes for their families. Without any formal agreement or contract they would come together and contribute their individual skills toward the completion of a home for each of them. No one worried if he would be repaid. After a period of a few years each owned his home without the worry of having a huge mortgage. Everyone assisted in framing chores. The biggest day was the day roof trusses were set. All hands were required to be present on this day. Some were painters, some electricians, others carpenters, plumbers, carpet layers, whatever was needed. A very small amount of the labor had to be contracted. After each long day of laboring an iced beer keg or cooler full of sodas was shared and the story telling began, sometimes lasting long into the night. This was brotherhood at its greatest.

Some incidents from the files of "If It Can't Happen It Did" must be related. TOM HUNGERFORD was driving the FWD from a training session at the drill school back to No. 1. Firehouse. The other members of the company were to follow in Engine One. Tom had not noticed that the emergency brake had been engaged. Just after passing Tulane Ave. he looked in the rear view mirror and noticed a column of black smoke coming from under the chassis. He stopped the vehicle in the middle of Illinois Av., stepped off the running board and looked under the chassis. The heat from the emergency brake had ignited the grease on the drive shaft. Panic set in. Tom immediately took the radio mike and called for No. 1 Engine. He did not want to relate what had occurred over the radio for all the world to hear. He asked if they were following. Engine 1 radioed back this was affirmative although they had not left from the training center. After a brief delay, which must have seemed like hours to Tom, he again radioed No.1, this time more frantically, "Engine 1 are you coming?" In the excitement of the moment Tom had forgotten he had a booster tank full of water and a half dozen assorted fire extinguishers at his disposal.

One other incident involving Tom and the FWD was related by the members of his company after Tom resigned from the department. The CSX railroad dispatcher had called to report that a diesel engine was on fire and asked a fire unit to meet the engine at a crossing near Marlow. The officer chose to send Tom on the FWD because it had a larger tank and was the reserve engine. Tom met the train at the designated crossing. When Tom attempted to put the pump into operation he could not get water. An investigation revealed the booster tank was empty. The tank had a small leak and would become empty after a number of hours. Checking the booster tank was one of the duties an operator carries out each morning during equipment check. Tom had checked the checkoff form but not the booster tank. Fortunately the fire was extinguished.

Overhead doors seem to be great targets when backing equipment into the bays. Over the years every station house has been the victim of numerous accidents. The auto- matic timers that closed doors when the trucks were making emergency responses have been the culprit many times. During morning equipment check the operators would drive the trucks onto the pad in front of the engine room. Forgetting about the door timers they would start to back up just as the timer had released the doors or someone from inside had activated the switch to close the doors. This resulted in a very embarrassing situation for all parties concerned. It is most difficult to explain why this occurred on an accident report. If you have been a victim of one of these occurrences, relax, we will not mention names in order to protect the guilty.

Other embarrassing moments have occurred when clothing or equipment has fallen from a moving vehicle. This sometimes occurs when compartment doors are left open when returning from a fire scene. The operator is usually responsible for the equipment but occasionally someone will open a door after the operator has checked it. Again you must retrace your steps to recover the fallen equipment hoping someone else hasn't already found it. We lost two SCBAs at the corner of Jefferson and the Turnpike one night about midnight returning from an alarm. We discovered the loss as soon as we entered the bay. Larry Hodge was sent to retrieve the lost equipment in the pick- up truck. He found the equipment just as it was being loaded into an automobile by two teenagers who must have considered themselves very lucky. When Larry asked for the equipment they refused to hand it over. After a brief argument Larry picked up the radio mike to call for a patrolman. This convinced the kids Larry was serious and they returned the apparatus.

LARRY HODGE was the first Afro-American employed by the ORFD. Deputy Chief Lynn Brock had made a big deal out of this occurrence. No one else seemed to get excited and everyone hoped Larry would fit in without any undue excitement. The first morning Larry reported for duty Chief Brock drove to each house introducing Larry to the on duty firefighters. He brought Larry to Station 1 where he was assigned to Captain McGuire. As luck would have it an officers meeting was scheduled for that morning. Chief Brock picked up McGuire and drove him to Station 3 for the meeting leaving Larry Stringer and Hodge to man Engine l. Remember this is a total new experience for Hodge. Stringer instructed Hodge to place his bunker coat and helmet in the jump seat. McGuire had been at No. 3 for just a few minutes when an alarm was received. Hodge donned his bunkers and boots and got into the jump seat. As Stringer turned left onto the Turnpike the helmet scooted off the metal engine cover and under the rear wheels. After returning from the alarm they found the pancaked helmet lying where it had fallen. Stringer had to file the accident report. Shortly after Stringer resigned to become a full time building contractor. Larry remained with the department for a few years. He later took a position with the Y-12 FD. He was employed at Y-12 when he became terminally ill with cancer.

Once JOHNNY JOHNSON was running delivery errands out of No.3. He parked the pickup in the parking lot at No.1 near the side entrance into the kitchen. He completed his mission and left. He came running back into the station and reported the truck missing. We walked outside and discovered the truck had rolled over the embankment and was lying in the creekbed on its tailgate. The public works wrecker responded and pulled it back onto the parking surface. The battery was replaced and Johnny continued on his way. The only damage incurred was to the rear bumper and tailgate. Another time the FWD was parked behind No.1 firehouse for Sat. clean-up. After lunch Johnson went to drive it back inside and once again it wasn't where it had been parked. Someone had not set the emergency brake tightly and the truck had rolled backwards down the embankment and about 100 yards into the field. We were able to retrieve the truck without calling for a wrecker this time. We held a class on the emergency operation of a winch.

One of the ugliest things that can occur is laying the portable radio down and forgetting to retrieve it. This has happened a couple of times when the party finding the radio begins to transmit thinking they have found some kids two-way radio. One officer was able to determine the location of the lost radio by conversing with the person until they revealed their whereabouts. When this occurs you can bet every scanner in town is turned on. You not only have to listen to the ridicule of your co-workers but also every radio nut in town. Another time an operator left his portable radio on the tailboard after radio check one morning. You would not believe how flat a handi-talkie can become after being run over by a fire engine.

During the thirty years I was employed by the ORFD I recall firefighters falling through ceilings, falling on ice at fire scenes, and leaping from a burning roof onto a utility pole. One company officer was threatened by a man holding a knife when the officer asked the man's wife to extinguish an open fire that was burning after dark. I remember deluge equipment flying out of control, nozzles dropped while charged and other events that are just as well not related. If while reading this book, you come upon an incident that you were involved in and your name wasn't mentioned, remember you owe me.

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On to Chapter 10

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