Tribute to Two Dedicated Volunteers
23 October, 2008, 00:38 am
For many years when the fire or ambulance siren sounded in Benwood, residents knew a member of the Smith family would be answering the call.
One of the fire fighters and EMT for more than 40 years has been Bonnie Smith, who along with her husband, Michael J, have been the mainstays of the Benwood Volunteer Fire Department.
Their dedication to the community has been passed on to their children and their grandchildren, several of whom are active in the department.
While Mike Smith has been the fire chief for more than 40 years, Bonnie has served in a number of capacities not only on the local level, but in the state firefighters organization.
As daughter-in-law Mary Smith said, "They have dedicated their lives to Benwood through the fire department. Mike always drove the ambulance and Bonnie was the EMT." She added, "I have never seen such a true devotion to each other and love for family and community in a very long time."
"The Benwood community and the Smith family has lost a great member of their family with the passing this past week of Bonnie Smith this past Tuesday," Mary Smith said.
Up until some five years ago members of ...
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Fire Leaves Benwood Families Homeless
26 January, 2008, 02:53 pm
BENWOOD — Two Benwood families were left homeless Friday after a fire destroyed their home at 627 Brown’s Run Road.
Paula Smith of the Benwood Volunteer Fire Department said the home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived around 4:30 p.m.
“All of the residents got out safely, but the home is clearly a total loss,” she said.
One of the residents, Earl Selmon, watched in disbelief as firefighters from Benwood, McMechen, Boggs Run and Glen Dale VFDs did their best to extinguish the blaze.
“Everything I have went up in smoke here tonight,” he said.
Selmon said that he, his girlfriend and her son had been sharing the home with another family. “Six people are left without a home now because of this,” he said.
Smith believed some pets living at the home were unable to make it out of the burning home. “We got most of them (the pets) out, but a few of them didn’t make it,” she said.
Smith also said icy conditions did not help the firefighters, as two of them lost their footing while battling the blaze. “A couple of our guys slipped on the ice, but they’ll be OK,” she said.
Anyone wishing to help the ...
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Local Volunteer Fire Department Advertises For Members
11 January, 2008, 12:38 am
Local Volunteer Fire Department Advertises For Members
One volunteer firefighter said their television and billboard advertisements have brought in 10 new people to the department in the past six months, which is a number the department didn't expect to see until at least a year.
Benwood fire officials said they are pleased with the results of the ads.
The grant is for recruitment and retention, and also provides money for training and physicals.
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