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There is a new fire chief at the Union Mills Fire Department (UMFD) as Dean Conner who held the position for 49 years recently retired.
Conner is also a charter member of the department that was organized over a half century ago.
On January 1 the fire chief's white hat was handed over to Michael Carpenter.
"It gives me a good feeling knowing Michael has the wellbeing of the department in his heart", Conner said upon his retirement.
"As a volunteer it is more than a white helmet and title," Conner said. "It is a desire and dedication to serve others, I see that in Michael. When the tones activate, someone out there needs you. The task requires support from your teammates. As I told our team, 'This ain't a one monkey circus'. I have had support from a long list of good people through the years," Conner said.
Conner said when he helped to organize the department 51 years ago he was the youngest member. When he was elected chief 49 years ago, he was the youngest in Rutherford County. As he retired December 31, 2021, he was the oldest fire chief in Rutherford County and is the only surviving founding member at Union Mills Fire Department.
"I hope to continue serving the needs of others through the fire department for a long time," Conner said.
Carpenter officially became chief on Jan 1, 2022.
Conner talked about some of the changes in fire service over the past half century in Rutherford County and some of the emergency fire calls that have stayed with him after all these years.
"One of the biggest changes is how the amount of apparatus and equipment has grown and at the same time the number of volunteers has become smaller. In the early years of the UMFD there were 30 plus members, today there are about 15 members," Conner said.
"Volunteers who are willing to give what it takes are almost a thing of the past," Conner said. "This is becoming a trend across the country. Our resources have grown, we respond to more types of alarms than the early days."
Conner said another sad change in the volunteer fire department today is the fact that the community isn't involved with the department as they were during the early fundraising days.
"With funds from district tax supporting the operation there is nothing to pull the two groups together."
Conner said possibly the greatest challenge today is getting volunteers involved. They have to compete with work schedules, family events, church and other things needing time and attention.
"Keeping up with changes of rules and standards for operation and equipment takes some commitment, records and reports are a direct responsibility of the Chief. Department officers help manage the incident scene, but in the end, actions of the team and the safety of everyone on the scene rest on the Chief," Conner said.
Conner said he was always blessed to have had the support of his family and the men and women who served in the department with him.
"It has to be 'we' rather than 'me'. For those who think being a fireman is tough, try being a fireman's wife," Conner said.
Conner said though the outcome at an incident is seldom the way a fireman wants it to be, there is still a good feeling of being there, trying to make a difference.
"If you have not experienced what these people are at that moment, you are at a loss for what to say or do. I have a warm satisfaction of being there for someone else if it is only being available,' Conner said.
One incident that has lived in Conner's mind was one of the department's earliest structure fires.
"We responded on a very cold night to find the home of a young woman and her small son to be a loss. The two had escaped with only their sleep-ware. Before learning who had lived there, I saw the small boy wandering around in a Tee- shirt, under pants and barefoot. Thinking he was a curious kid from a house nearby, I said, 'son it is cold out here, you need a coat'. He looked into my face and responded, 'Mister, I don't have a coat, everything me and mommy had was in that house'. I have spent another 50 years trying to change that outcome."
Conner remembers a personal time when about 30 members of his family were having Christmas lunch when the department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident.
"The roadway was blocked. I stopped short of the accident and began turning traffic around and advising the detour route. Well, a few people didn't want to comply. I heard it all, 'I think I can squeeze by there, I am already late and I don't want to turn around, you are just causing people a problem.
"My thoughts, I am cold, tired, and hungry, I don't need abuse. Then the unexpected happened - a man stops and I explain the situation. He starts to turn his vehicle, then stops and I'm thinking oh no, not another. He speaks, "Man I admire what you are doing, it's Christmas and you are here. I know you must be cold, take these gloves. God Bless you and I hope you are home with your family soon".
Once the department responded to three separate house fires resulting in the deaths of four occupants.
"A sad reality is the majority of house fires are major damage due the time frame of discovery, notification and response. You try to comfort and support the occupants who have in a few minutes lost a lifetime of dreams and hard work. Where do we go from here, how do we start over? You offer them help with getting temporary shelter and some personal supplies. You offer to help them sift through the remains and look for personal remnants of their life."
He remembers a vehicle crash and fire which claimed the lives of two teenage brothers.
"You leave the firehouse and see flames a mile away. You know this won't be one of the good ones. Hearing a parent and sibling crying and screaming for help is a sad moment for all involved. On the scene you know you can't change the outcome, but the team still gives it everything they have."
"Another accident involved the death of a three year old child. You try to comfort the family but you still feel helpless. You try to stay strong and focused but inside you hurt because they hurt.
This is much like the little girl who came home late, her mother asks why she is late. 'My friend dropped her doll and it broke. The mother says oh, you stopped to help her fix it? The child replies, no, I stopped to help her cry'."
During the past couple years the UMFD equipped a new fire truck, upgraded breathing apparatus and communication equipment. Over the past few years the department also gained some young members.
"Hopefully they will share the desire to stay and make a difference," Conner said.
"Across the County we have developed a four department response to structure fires in an effort to have the personnel to do the job. Mutual Aid is the lifeline for small understaffed departments," Conner continued.
As Conner looks to the future of the department, "I hope to see growth, as well as support and teamwork among the members. I hope for a growth in membership to share the work and to carry on as others like me age out. I hope to be there and witness that growth."
Conner said the new leadership has much to accomplish, much to offer.
"I see good opportunities with encouragement and support. When the team looks good, the coach looks good," Conner said
"Good leaders are not merely appointed, you see them emerge from the group, doing what it takes and taking responsibility. You see them at events and recognize their work and potential. You step in line with them."
Upon his retirement, Conner's team presented him with a cake.
Chief Carpenter said of Conner at the cake presentation, "He has devoted many, many years to the fire department. We hate to see him stepping down as chief but, if anyone deserves a rest, our chief does," Carpenter said. "Thank you for everything you have done for the fire department and community. You have taught us a lot and we will take that into the future year. Thankfully he is staying around to help out anyway he can."
