Two of Jacksonville’s firefighters were honored in a ceremony Wednesday in which they received their black helmets.
“Today, we’re back again, in what has historically been called a black helmet ceremony or presentation here,” said Fire Chief Paul Findley. “It’s a big deal. It really is and we ought to stop for a second and acknowledge that.”
Findley noted that the ability to onboard and maintain good quality personnel is highly important in small departments such as in Jacksonville.
“Because we are a smaller department and our staffing is very, very lean, everybody’s got to be able to bring their “A” game every day,” Findley said. “The coolest part about being a chief here is the quality of people that are here.”
The two earning their black helmets were Alec Tipton and Ethan Thurston.
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Members of the ‘B’ shift stand with fellow firefighters Alec Tipton and Ethan Thurston after the two were presented with their black helmets.
“We’re seeing, on a regular basis, very tragic and traumatic incidents that occur. That becomes the norm in this profession,” Findley said. “We’re with people during their final moments with us here on this earth and we’re with their families afterwards. That’s really where it matters, the kind of people we’re sending to these incident scenes on fire engines and ambulances.”
Tipton, a Jacksonville resident, served in Jacksonville from Jan. 2020 through Nov. 2022. He then served two years with the Longview Fire Department before returning home in September of this year.
“It’s very heartwarming,” Tipton said of his return. “Gaining my black helmet again, back with the fire department I originally served the community with, it feels really welcoming knowing they welcome me back with open arms.”
Tipton said it was in his senior year of high school when he decided to pursue fire fighting.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I was able to witness as a younger individual in high school,” Tipton said, without providing details. “I just happened to be there at the right time to witness amazing things happen on a volunteer call and it made me want to pursue the profession of being a fireman.”
The favorite part of the job Tipton said was the camaraderie, calling his fellow firefighters his second family.
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Tipton is engaged to Brittany Westbrook and the couple has a 10-month-old girl, Remi.
Thurston, a Lindale resident, worked at UT Health EMS before joining the Jacksonville Fire Department in April.
“I felt like I had a calling to be a firefighter from a young age, just to serve other people,” he said. “I like being able to help people on some of the worst days of their lives.”
Commenting on earning his black helmet, Thurston noted it was a symbol of earning one’s place on the shift.
“I see it as the guys know I have their back just as much as they have my back,” he said.
Thurston’s wife, Mady, said she thinks his career change to serve at a fire department is great.
“It doesn’t really scare me because I know it’s something he wants to do,” she said.
“That component of being able to take care of people and have compassion for people is so important in this line of work,” Findley said. “When we got Ethan and when we got Alec back, we immediately got two people that it’s natural that they take care of people.”
The Jacksonville Fire Department is now fully staffed with 27 firefighters.
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