Ever wonder what the life of a fire fighter is like? Justin Tanner knows all about it because it’s something he does as a volunteer for Massey Fire Department.

Here’s his story:

“Some people have the idea that being a member of a volunteer fire department is all about spotted dogs, flashing lights and having a fire fighter’s emblem on the tag of your car.

There is no amount of money you could ever pay me for the feeling of satisfaction that comes from running the 911 calls and being able to make a difference in the lives of the people who reside in our fire district.

No, we don’t win them all but there are lots of times when we do make a difference and that means the world to me.

I can remember when my great aunt’s house burned and was destroyed. All that was left was pieces of the floor and a bed, but there were some photos and other personal possessions that could never be replaced for any amount of money.

I have been out on calls when the ground froze over and have seen the horror in the faces of the occupants as their hopes and dreams burned to the ground. I have also seen the joy in their faces when we are able to recover something that holds great meaning to them, things no insurance money could ever replace.

What about the time you called 911 at 3 a.m. because your loved one had stopped breathing? I am the one who jumped up and ran to their aid. started CPR and help with CPR while they were en route to the hospital ER.

I really hurt when we lose someone, young and old alike. We train to save lives, and train some more. No., we don’t win all the time. We can’t save everyone and that is something we learn the hard way. But it gives me a lift when I walk into a local gas station and a little old lady hugs my neck and tells me she is doing better because we helped her in her time of need. When we run the call and cut someone out of a wrecked car, fly them off to the hospital and learn later that they made it, that’s priceless.

Being a member of the fire department has added to my family. I have 20 brothers and each one of them has my back. We strap on the air packs, grab the 1 1/2 inch hose and go in, looking for the life that we can save. The tones go out and we go to a car crash, grab the jaws of life and start cutting the driver out of the car. We work as one when on call. It’s a bond that transcends the department. We give all and would have it no other way. Nobody ever thinks about our loved ones. We just run the calls when they come in, no matter if we’re eating dinner or having a family gathering. Our families know our tones and they may or may not be on the call or waiting for us at the station but they support us 100 [percent. They understand that if we don’t go, who will?

Being a member of the fire department gives me a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and great joy. It’s more than a tag emblem, a radio or a spotted dog. It’s a lifestyle that can’t be bought. This is what being a fire fighter means to me.

If you would like to know what you can do to support your volunteer fire department, Join in and help make the calls. If that’s not for you, we understand. But there are other ways you can help. We always need help cleaning equipment and helping in the department.

We crawl in when others run out. If we don’t do it, who will?”

Belated happy birthday wishes go out to J.W. Franklin on Jan. 1, Stephanie Penn on Jan. 2, Angie Johnson on Jan. 3, Katie Beth Owen on Jan. 6, Carly Holladay on Jan 8, Millie Kate Jones on Jan. 9, Ruby Self on Jan. 10, Heather Maples on Jan. 11, Paxton Boyd on Jan. 12, James Newman on Jan. 13 and Mike McLamb and Sydney McCleskey, both on Jan. 14.

Special belated happy wedding anniversary wishes go out to Wiley and Sue Reaves who celebrated their 54th anniversary on Jan. 6 and Paul and Patricia Reaves who observed their first anniversary on Jan. 10.

Special belated happy birthday wishes go out to Camille Broadfoot who celebrated her special day on Jan. 9.