Tag Archive for: #hendersonfirechiefstevecordell

TownTalk: Henderson Fire Dept. Holds Its Own Despite Challenges

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Firefighters, just like everyone else, have been affected by COVID-19 and the restrictions that have been in place for the last year and a half. But unlike so many other workers, firefighters can’t work from home or respond to fire calls virtually.

Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell said his department has faced challenges during the pandemic but he praised his team of firefighters for their loyalty and dedication to their jobs.

“We’ve seen a lot of turnover here recently,” Cordell told John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk. Some staff have moved to jobs in related fields and others have decided to take a completely different line of work.

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After a dip in the number of calls at the onset of the pandemic, he said the department is again responding to an average of 250 calls each month – about 60 percent are medical-related and about 40 percent are fire and rescue calls.

Cordell said his firefighters get good information from the dispatchers, who know the right questions to ask to learn if anyone is COVID-positive that firefighters may come into contact with when they go out on a call.

“We treat everyone as if they are a positive case,” he said, and his firefighters will wear a mask when they are off duty and in public, just to make sure that everyone is staying safe.

As the fire department works to recruit and retain firefighters in the short-term, Cordell said he is hopeful that plans for construction of a third station in west Henderson also will come to fruition.

“We’re still on the table,” he said of the plans for the new station. He and others have been taking with developers and looking at different spots to purchase.

He also said plans to reorganize and reclassify some departments and positions within the department should be brought to City Council for consideration next month.

Battalion Chief Joel Bartholomew is leaving after 15 years of service to become director of emergency services in his native Warren County, a move Cordell called “bittersweet.” He called Bartholomew a loyal and dedicated employee, and added “watching him develop and grow has been a blessing and an honor.”

One step toward “normal” for the department involves Capt. Lee Edmonds, who works with fire prevention education. The pandemic put the brakes on firefighters getting into schools to talk with children about fire prevention. With the start of school just around the corner, Cordell said everyone’s looking forward to restart the “Read A Book With A Firefighter” program. Firefighters read with kindergartners, help them with homework and just enjoy time with young learners.

Cordell said he has a great team who is working hard every day “to keep our feet grounded and trucks staffed and moving to help the people of Henderson.”

HFD Hosts Child Safety Seat Class

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If you noticed a lot of extra cars near the Henderson Fire Department, Central Station 1 on Dabney Drive today, it’s because they were hosting a child safety seat class.

Chief Steve Cordell of the City of Henderson Fire Department told WIZS News, “The class is being taught by the North Carolina Safe Kids organization.  We have 20 students representing five departments — City of Henderson FD, Vance County Fire Department, Oxford Fire Department, Fuquay-Varina Fire Department and Norfolk, VA Fire Department.”

He said the training will allow the City of Henderson Fire Department to have more certified technicians on duty.

The course is 32 hours.

West Creek, West Hills, 158 Bypass Community Watch

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Thursday night in the Maria Parham Health auditorium, Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell spoke at the West Creek, West Hills, 158 By Pass Community Watch meeting. Community watch president Susan Adcock told WIZS News how much the organization appreciated Cordell presenting the program.

Adcock said, “Chief Cordell said proper smoke/fire alarms in our homes could save our lives. He talked about fire safety measures in the home: smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. He talked about the Reading a Book with a Fireman Program for Kindergarten Students conducted at Rollins, Vance Charter School and Henderson Collegiate. He spoke of the work of a fireman and the programs they conduct for the city residents, such as going door to door to inspect smoke alarms, and other assistance to city residents.”

Amazingly, the fire alarm sounded in the auditorium during the presentation.  Adcock said, “Community Watch members filed out of the auditorium and onto the back parking lot. Shortly thereafter, all were able to return to the auditorium.”

She said, “The Chief presented a very informative program!”

If your community watch organization would like to publish information about guest speakers and other community news, please email johncharles@wizs.com or fill out the form on the PSAs page of wizs.com.