Tag Archive for: #timtwisdale

Henderson Fire Dept

TownTalk: Henderson Fire Department Engages With Community

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Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale calls it “crew integrity” – it’s the way a group of firefighters establishes and strengthens the bond by learning and by doing together, whether it’s shopping in the grocery store or participating in a training exercise.

One way Twisdale promoted this concept recently was by acknowledging the accomplishments of several firefighters who have received promotions, including Donte Richardson and Jack Wilkinson, two firefighters who have been with the department for just a few years.

Richardson joined the department in 2019, and since then Twisdale said he’s found a career path.

“He’s developed into a good mentor,” Twisdale said, adding that Richardson now wears a white helmet, signifying his promotion to captain.

But Richardson also was recognized as the recipient of the city’s employee of the quarter award and the Optimist award.

Twisdale said Richardson epitomizes the traits of an optimist – always upbeat and looking for the good in all situations – which plays a key role in his abilities to provide training and instruction to other firefighters.

Twisdale said he knew Richardon would be “good at influencing the new generation of firefighters” as he watched the young man obtain various certifications and complete trainings over the past few years.

Wilkinson, who joined the department in 2022, has been promoted to fire engineer, Twisdale said.

Not only does an engineer drive the truck to fire calls, Twisdale explained, but he also “is responsible for the equipment on the truck being in good working order. He’s the person standing beside the truck, moving the levers and making sure (firefighters) are protected” when they’re inside a burning structure.

“He is one of the most relied-upon members of the fire department,” Twisdale said.

Richardson and Wilkinson are among 12 firefighters that belong to one of three shifts – A, B, C – and Twisdale said each shift become like a family, spending 24 hours at the time together as they live, work, train and go out on calls together.

Anyone who thinks that firefighters sit around the station, playing cards all day, while they’re waiting for a call to come in needs to think again, Twisdale said.

Between daily training, EMS calls and more, Twisdale said there’s plenty for firefighters to do on any given shift.

Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds and Capt. Randy Owen recently visited the new assisted living facility Bridges at Parkview to conduct some staff training.

Helping staff learn how to handle smaller emergencies, including general fire safety and safe operation of fire extinguishers, for example, could cut down on unnecessary calls.

Both Edmonds and Owen are working with fire inspections, and Twisdale said both men have proven to be a good fit for the department and for the role they play in the community.

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TownTalk: Fire Department Awards And Dinner

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The City of Henderson’s fire department took some time recently to gather for dinner and fellowship as they reflected on events of the past year, honored current firefighters and remembered the late fire chief Steve Cordell.

Chief Tim Twisdale, a guest on Wednesday’s TownTalk, said the Feb. 22 event was special in many ways, not the least of which was beginning the evening with a moment of silence to remember Cordell, who died in January 2023.

Oftentimes, the public sees firefighters in bulky turnout gear in the line of duty or in more casual clothing around the fire house making sure all the vehicles are in tip-top shape. But Twisdale said this occasion was reason to pull out the Class A uniforms and really show off – on this evening, firefighters learned who was named 2023 Firefighter of the Year and who would be the recipient of the Chief’s Award.

“This is the 47th year that our department has been having a gathering to honor our members and the accomplishments they’ve had throughout the year,” Twisdale noted.

Jeffrey Payne Watson was named Firefighter of the Year and Devin Hall received the Chief’s Award. Twisdale said both men are real assets to the department.

Watson came on board in 2021 – in fact, Twisdale was on the interview board when he was hired and then worked with him on the same shift. He saw Watson every day there in the beginning, and Twisdale said he quickly saw Watson as a natural leader. “He’s one of those go-to persons,” Twisdale said, someone who makes sure that everyone comes out of a situation with a better grasp and understanding than they’d had before.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Tony Bailey was the guest speaker for the event, and Twisdale said he appreciated Bailey’s continuing support  over the years as the fire department has been able to attain – and maintain – a coveted ISO rating of 2.

Chief’s Award recipient Hall commutes three days a week to his job at the Henderson Fire Department from his home in South Hill, VA.

When considering nominees for the Chief’s Award, Twisdale said he’s looking “for someone who really comes into the doors every day as a positive example” for others, making contributions not only to the community but to the brotherhood of firefighters.

“He is a constant source of information,” Twisdale said of Hall. “He shares his knowledge an skills.”

Twisdale noted several recent promotions within the department, including Capt. Capt. Justin Crowder and Capt. Justin Simmons, who is in charge of Engine 1. Simmons’s primary duties are looking after a three-member crew of that truck, the chief said.

As new battalion chiefs, Rick Puryear and Kyle Holtzman supervise the shifts of firefighters who protect the city 24 hours a day.

Hall and fellow firefighter Chase Carter have risen to the rank of engineer. Both men are a big part of the department’s ladder company, Twisdale said. The fire department is looking at ways to replace the aging truck, which came into service in 2005. Back then, it cost $800,000.

Like everything else, he said, inflation has driven up prices on fire trucks, too.

“If we sign a contract today, it’d be $2.1 million,” he said.

Check out the year-in-review video that Engineer Carter created for the awards banquet. You can find it on the fire department’s Facebook page. Chief Cordell figures prominently in the video, and his memory will live on, Twisdale said.

“We try to honor his memory by trying to move forward each day,” he said.

 

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TownTalk: Twisdale Takes Over As Fire Chief

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Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale said he learned at an early age the importance of service to others and being responsible for nurturing growth.

Those childhood lessons are paying dividends as Twisdale takes the helm as the city’s new chief.

As a youngster, growing up on the family farm, he was exposed to things that have helped him through the years – “Be responsible for things. Plant a seed and see where it goes,” he said.

Twisdale was a guest on Tuesday’s TownTalk and shared his story that started on the family farm in the Granville County community of Bullock.

He’s had mentors within the fire service, but it was his grandfather – a volunteer at the Bullock station – who started it all.

“I looked up to him,” Twisdale said, adding that his grandfather showed him the importance of “being part of the community and giving back. He enjoyed doing so.”

So Twisdale decided to follow in his granddad’s footsteps and he joined the ranks of volunteers at Bullock.

And he ran across an instructor named Steve Cordell who shared with him about being a career firefighter. As a 20-something, Twisdale acknowledged that it sure sounded more exciting than sitting behind a desk all day.

Since then, there have been many classes and many mentors who have helped Twisdale on this career path.

It will be his turn now to help other firefighters as they pursue their goals and dreams.

Twisdale said he hoped to name a deputy chief soon. “We’ve opened it up to internal applicants,” and that continues for another week. The department’s career ladder structure helps firefighters determine next steps and pathways for success.

“I anticipate having a good pool of applicants coming through,” he said. There will be an interview team assembled to ensure transparency in the selection process, although Twisdale will make the final decision.

Chief Cordell and retired Chief Danny Wilkerson were instrumental in instilling pride into the department, and Twisdale said he intends to keep it going for the future.

“I want to keep the pride and dedication and professionalism that our department has, and expand and grow as the city grows,” he said.

The department enjoys an ISO rating of 2, and is as close to a 1 rating as is possible. What stands in the way, Twisdale said, are two areas that the department and the city are aware of and are working on – increased staffing and a new fire station.

As battalion chief, Twisdale had to make sure fire calls were answered efficiently and effectively. In his new role as chief, he is responsible for more of the administration of the fire department. But efficiency and effectiveness remain top of mind, he said, and he plans to lead by example.

“I consider myself a servant leader. We all are here for the common good and to support one another…we want to look after our folks, our citizens – every time we go out the door.”