Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / May 14, 1992, edition 1 / Page 13
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under the sun THE BRUNSWICK&BEACON THURSDAY, MAY 14. 1992 D D -V Fireman Dan Williams Captures State's Top VFW Honor BY TKRRY POPE Flames were weaving orange patterns into the Fletcher Drive home when the first firefighters ar rived before dawn. "Half the house was just about gone," recalled Dan Williams, chief of the Lcland Volunteer Fire Department. In one window, fircmcr. spotted an elderly woman as she lay unconscious. Resident Ann White had tried to escape from the smoke and fumes. Her arms were rest ing on a windowsill high above the ground. "I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her out," said Williams. He and two others maintained cardiopulmonary re suscitation (CPR) efforts until rescue personnel arrived that April 1989 morning. "She's still hoarse today," Williams said. "She still has a hard time talking becausc of the smoke she breathed in." But each time she sees Williams in the Lcland gro cery store where he is manager, Mrs. White never for gets to give him a hug and to thank the 3 1 -year-old for helping to save her life. A spokesperson at Duke Medical Center later said if Williams and the other volunteers had not acted as quickly as they did, Mrs. White would not have lived. Her condition was so serious that she was transported by helicopter to Durham for treatment. "I'm definitely not out here to win any rewards," he added. "The biggest reward for me was helping to save Mrs. White. That's rewarding enough for me." The three-time Lcland Volunteer Fireman of the Year recently captured two other high honors including the state Outstanding Firefighter Gold Medal Award given by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was nominated by Lcland VFW Post No. 9408, won the county event and advanced to the state level. On April 27, Williams learned that out of approximately 300 nominees from across North Carolina, he was cho sen state fireman of the year and will advance to nation al competition in Washington, D.C., this summer. "If you stay in firefighting and you're involved in saving just one life, it's worth it," said Williams. "If I don't help save anyone else, it's been rewarding enough for me." He joined the fire department nine years ago, was elected chief in 1988 and has been nominated for a Governor's Volunteer Award. He and his wife, Diane, have three children, Avery, Brandy and Daniel. After graduating from T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C., Williams began work bagging groceries and was steadily promoted in the business to store man ager. In 1983 some friends convinced him to join the fire department where he served as treasurer in 1984, president in 1985, assistant chief in 1986 and was elect ed chief four years ago. "It's hard to get out once you get involved," Williams noted. "You've got to like it to do it, especially when you're a volunteer." Still, Williams insists that he and the volunteers all work together, that achievements are earned by all. His 28-mcmbcr crew leads a fire safety drill each year at Lincoln Primary School where students get hands- on "If y on stay infirefighting and you're involved in saving just one life , it's worth it." cxpcricncc of what lo do in the event of a fire either at school or at home. Under his leadership, firemen arc taking extensive training to become certified as firefighter I, II and III. A new pumper truck was purchased recently that could help lower the fire insurance rating for Leland home owners. A truck raffle held last year raised nearly SI 0.000 for the department. As local fire chief, Williams is always seeking ways to improve the community, noted Leland Councilman George Yates in his letter that nominated Williams for the county VFW award. "He is a highly-respected leader among his peers as evidenced when he was recently re-elected to another term as fire chicf," Yates stated. "In spite of the rigorous demand on his time resulting from being a volunteer fireman while holding down a full-time job, Dan is al ways ready to listen and help people in the community when they have a need." The key to leading a fire department is to treat it as a business and to carc for its individuals, said Williams. "It's volunteer work, but you still have to have someone halfway in charge," he said. "To a certain ex tent you have to tell these guys what to do, but you've got to realize that they arc volunteers. They're doing this for nothing. You've got to get the right line of commu nication there." Volunteers range in age from 17 to 55. Many must also be active in fund raising for there is never enough money without generous donations. "That's probably the number one problem in an or ganization like this," he said. "But if you manage your money right, you can get by." Departments receive S13.500 annually from the county and receive the rest through donations or district emergency funds. Last year, the department's insurance bill alone was S9.770 for its buildings and trucks. On the average, Leland's station responds to 175 to 225 fire calls each year. "They kind of run in spells," said Williams. "We have answered as many as eight calls in one day. But that doesn't happen too often." Around his home, Williams has a collection of fire memorabilia with remote-controlled fire trucks, an old New York style fire helmet, a Mickey Mouse fire truck and custom clocks resting on a shelf. He will leave this week to accept his Outstanding Firefighter Gold Medal Award at a state VFW conven tion, but admits that he was shocked to hear that he had won. Now he has another goal ? to improve the depart ment's fire rating this year so Leland homeowners' in surance premiums will not cost as much. "If wc can do that it will help the community more than anything else," he said. SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS STOP TELEPHONE TAG Now an affordable telephone answering service for as low as $15/month. You can now leave a verbal message for anyone or receive one from anyone at any time, day or night, with the use of computerized voice mail and a voice bulletin board. Use your own phone-no equipment to purchase. For recorded message, call 24 HOURS A DAY: MEGA COMPUTER SERVICES (919)842-6024 Ext.103 <^A/{ax(z ^aundsn, Family Optometry ?Comprehensive Eye Examinations ?Ocular Emergencies ?Contact Lenses and Glasses Prescribed ?Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases of the Eye Suite 3, Promenade Office Park 143 Holden Beach Road, Shallotte Office hours by appointment. Evening and Saturday appointments available. Phone 754-9687 Member American Optomctric Association C1 990 THE BRUNSWICK BEACON To Better Serve Southeastern North Carolina Now In Shallotte Every Tuesday 10 am-4 pm New Hearing Aids by Find out if the Alpha can help you enjoy the I sounds of life. ALPHATECHNOLOGIES A NEW BEGINNING IN BETTER HEARING In-The-Ear Hearing Aids $OQQ Starting at plus optional circuits Price includes: ?2-year mfr. warranty ?2-year loss and damage warranty ?2 years of FREE BATTERIES Nothing to buy for 2 years! EVERY TUESDAY IN SHALLOTTE AT CAROLIN AS' WELLNESS. -v. Hearing Service 'C 754-2980 ? 800-633-4247 ? New Soiilih^ Steve Mundy HEARING AID SPECIALIST $65 Off All Other Brand Of Hearing Aids * <M ACON STAFF PHOTO BY TERRY POPE LbLAND'S DAN WILIJAMS was chosen the state's top fireman in a competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT 24-MONTH CERTIFICATE COMPOUNDED DAILY 6.1831'/. INTEREST RATE YIELD ri?i Security ^ SAVI NG s & loan association ** ?Southport 'Leland *Sha'iotte 'Calabash *Long Beach 457-5246 371-6546 754-4371 579-3595 278-6022
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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May 14, 1992, edition 1
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