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As 2024 heads into 2025, much can be recapped regarding the previous year. 

This past year, multiple first responders served both inside and outside of the community in more ways than one. 

For example, action was taken when Hurricane Helene impacted the southeastern United States this past fall.

“I came in one morning and poured my coffee, and one of my EMT’s, Dakota Coleman….was looking for some way to try to give back to folks that have unfortunately lost basically everything in the western portion of North Carolina,” said firefighter Tyler Tays, noting that the latter has family in the state. “We came to Chief Riggs and Chief Whiteley, and…got the blessing to go ahead.” 

In collaboration with the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Winchester Fire Department soon became a hub for donations, which poured in from multiple counties including Estill and Madison. 

Yet the Winchester Fire Department didn’t stand alone in the project. 

Sergeant Travis Thompson of the Winchester Police Department, also a former Magistrate, offered his services. 

“During that process, [Thompson] reached out to me and told me that he…could use an 18-wheeler tractor trailer from Hillshire Farms, who would donate that and he would drive it,” said Winchester Fire Department Chief Chris Whiteley. “By the time Friday hit, I had to call him back and [say], ‘Can we still use that trailer?’” 

Thompson, who was on vacation, came back early, helped load, and – with Tays and Coleman in a separate vehicle – traveled to Asheville, North Carolina to drop off equipment, not arriving back in Winchester until midnight. 

Donations included camping equipment, tents, blankets, generators, basic cleaning supplies,  and more. 

“It just shows not only the heart of the guys that work for the Fire Department, [but also] the Police Department,” said Whiteley, adding that individuals from the Clark County Detention Center further assisted in the undertaking. “It truly was a community-driven event.” 

Tays added that, upon seeing the conditions in Asheville, NC, the effort was especially rewarding. 

“Just driving through Asheville and passing through other communities, it was complete devastation,” he said. “Being able to help out…it meant a lot.” 

Speaking of what he hopes others will understand from the experience, Whiteley further spoke. 

“These emergencies can come to any of us, and we all need to be there for each other,” he said. “We need to recognize others in need to help when we can.”