Firefighters honored for heroic rescue in structure fire

During a recent government meeting, the Lincoln County Commission unanimously approved the minutes from their August 20th meeting and proceeded to honor local firefighters for their heroic actions during a recent structure fire.

Doug Campbell, the director of fire and Emergency Management Agency (EMA), introduced Rick Laws, president of the Joseph Greer chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Laws announced that the chapter would award two heroism medals and four firefighter commendation medals to members of the Lincoln County Emergency Management Team. He emphasized the significance of these awards, noting that only one such award was given in Tennessee for the year 2023-2024, highlighting the exceptional nature of the recognition.

Laws detailed the events of August 5th, when a structure fire was reported with possible victims trapped inside. Captain Colin Stoball was the first firefighter on the scene and, alongside fellow firefighter Lucas Little, entered the burning building to rescue a trapped woman. Their efforts were supported by additional firefighters, including Vernon Alcorn, Ken Young, and Jeremy Thompson, who worked to extinguish the flames and prevent further damage. The team’s actions not only saved the woman but also a dog found during a secondary search of the home.

The meeting underscored the bravery and dedication of first responders, with Campbell and Laws expressing gratitude for their service. The recognition of these firefighters serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by public servants in the community.