Benwood VFD News Tribute to Two Dedicated Volunteers     23 October, 2008, 01:38 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 the Benwood Volunteer Fire Department answered both fire and ambulance calls, and one of the reasons that the BVFD no longer has a city ambulance service is because of Bonnie's failing health. Son-in-law Lou Richmond said, "Bonnie would be on the fire line if her services weren't required in the medical field." He added that since the Smith home is only a block away from the fire department Bonnie would many times be the first one to the station and would be on the first vehicle, whether it be the fire truck or ambulance, on scene of a call. According to her daughter-in-law, Bonnie was one of the first female EMT's in the state. She was the first recipient of the Ina Carol Poland award given annually by Reynolds Memorial Hospital, which involves individuals transporting patients to the hospital's emergency room. Bonnie Smith, a lifetime member of the Benwood VFD, has served as secretary, squad captain, head EMT and trustee. During her 40 plus years Bonnie Smith with the fire department she received more than 20 Star of Life Awards as an EMT. U.S. Air Force Reserve T-Sgt. Tom Smith, the son of the Smith's, and a professional firefighter with the city of Wheeling, and also a of the 910th Airlift Wing headquartered in Youngstown, serving as a fire crash rescue and medic. Smith, on his fourth tour of duty in the Middle East, returned from Kirkuk, Iraq, on Wednesday night. It took 48 hours with flights on several different types of aircrafts. Mary Smith said several air force bases and agencies, including the American Red Cross, helped in working out the details for which her family is very thankful. ( Back | Comments ) Comments Doug Dugan:   I have known these two (2) for many years through the fire service, and it has been my pleasure to have known them and enjoy their company. Their dedication to the fire service is and will always be second to none. Powered by My Blog 1.2. Copyright 2004 FuzzyMonkey.org. Created by the scripting wizards at FuzzyMonkey.org.