FREDERICKTOWN — Firefighter Shane Smith and his wife, Bernadette, were honored with this year’s Flame of Distinction Award presented by the Fredericktown Community Fire District.
“In recognition of those selfless actions that have significantly contributed to the safety or well-being of others, or for the exceptional support of our department,” reads the glass award, sculpted in the shape of a flame.
FCFD Chief Scott Mast said he created the award after he took over as chief 2 1/2 years ago, to honor firefighters or members of the community who have gone over and above the call of duty.
“You always know that Shane and Bernadette are going to be there,” Mast said in describing the Smiths’ participation in the department’s community service efforts.
During his seven years of fire service, Shane has shown relentless dedication, according to Mast, and both Smiths have taken the initiative to help others in the community, especially children. The Smiths created a fan drive which is now held each August, to collect and purchase fans to bring relief to families during the summer. The second drive held last August brought in 38 fans.
When the pantry of the Interchurch branch in Fredericktown ran low on food this past summer, the Smiths sought the assistance of the members of the fire department and the rescue squad to purchase hundreds of dollars worth of urgently needed food that has fed many in the community experiencing rough financial times.
This past Christmas, the Smiths spearheaded the FCFD’s first firefighter toy drive, which raised money and collected toys which Interchurch in Fredericktown then distributed to over 100 children in need.
The Smiths gave the credit for the success of the department’s first toy drive to the other 26 members of the FCFD, as well as to the community which donated toys and money during November and December.
“The community has really supported us,” Shane said.
He added that his family’s Christmas was deeply enriched by the knowledge that so many children who may have otherwise missed out on Christmas, found presents waiting for them under their trees.
“I stopped for a moment on Christmas morning to think about all of the kids that were going to have a good Christmas,” Shane said.
The family has a deep commitment to family, and that family extends to Shane’s fellow firefighters and their families, according to Bernadette.
“It really is a brotherhood,” Bernadette said of the department.
Bernadette explained that the firefighters not only work together, but spend much of their social time together as well.
“These kids are all growing up together,” she said pointing to her daughter, Andrea, as she played with 3-year-old Brianna Canter, the youngest child of Capt. Dwayne Canter.
Much of that socializing involves Bernadette’s cooking. At least once a month, she prepares a meal for the 27 members of the department. After a fire or training exercise, firefighters can count on pulling into the firehouse and finding a warm meal cooking in the kitchen. Bernadette is often already there, waiting to hand out cups of coffee and hot chocolate to each firefighter, knowing who takes cream or sugar in their coffee, without needing to ask.
Shane said the leadership of Mast and Assistant Chief Larry Schunke has changed the spirit of the department over the past two years, developing even stronger relationships among the firefighters, and placing a stronger emphasis on community service and helping those less fortunate in the Fredericktown area.
“Scott’s open to let us do things like this,” Shane said. “And the other guys are open to things like this, too. But it all starts with leadership.”
Mast said that while firefighters have pulled together strongly to serve their neighbors, the deeper bonds formed within the department benefit the department’s firefighting as well.
“It builds tremendous teamwork, which carries over,” the chief said.
Mast said Shane and Bernadette’s generosity provide an example not just for the other firefighters, but for their children as well. Some of the firefighters brought their children along to buy Christmas presents for the toy drive in December, and Mast and firefighter Jason Bostic said they were struck with how generously even the smallest kids behaved during the shopping trip.
Instead of asking to purchase toys for themselves, the children showed obvious delight in choosing toys for other children whom they don’t even know.
The Smiths said they were surprised Mast chose to honor them with the award. Bernadette said she is extremely proud of Shane’s dedication to the department.
In the five years the Smiths have been married, Shane has been called to emergencies on special occasions including Christmas Eve and Andrea’s second birthday. Bernadette said she does not panic when Shane leaves on a call, but certain emergencies such as house fires or rescue dives cause her to worry about her husband and his fellow firefighters until they return safely.
Andrea said she is extremely proud of her dad’s work as a fireman, and, like her dad, who said he wanted to be a firefighter for as long as he could remember, Andrea plans to join the fire department one day.
A native of Fredericktown, Shane said he is honored to serve the Fredericktown community, which supported him and his younger brother and sister when they lost their mother to leukemia when Shane was only 17.
“This is my way of giving back,” Shane explained.
Mast said the traditions started by the Smiths, including the toy drive, will hopefully be carried on for years to come.
“They teach us all a lot about generosity,” Mast said. “It reminds us what we’re here for.”