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When first responders throughout Kentucky face trouble, the company of others in the field is always welcome.

During the most difficult of circumstances, the Winchester Fire Department has taken action. 

By collaborating with an organization titled Supporting Heroes, members of the Winchester Fire Department are often present at first responders’ funeral services and more to provide aid for those in need. 

“Our mission is to support the families of fallen first responders,” said Marcy Berry, Community Outreach and Benefits Coordinator for Supporting Heroes. “We respond when there’s a line of duty death, and we provide immediate support to the family and agency.” 

This can take place in multiple ways. 

“We provide immediate financial support…if they’re married, have children, [or] someone who’s dependent on their income, we immediately give them $5,000 to help relieve some of the financial stress that they have,” Berry added. “If it’s the agency’s wish, we help with the funeral planning…we have honor guards that we work closely with…just to be able to render the full honors for that person who’s passed.” 

First responders can include police, firefighters and emergency medical service professionals, correctional officers, and more. 

Lt. Jonathan Beam of the Winchester Fire Department spoke of WFD’s role as a supporter of the organization. 

“What I mean by supporting it is we all…pay in our own money [with[ every check as a membership to them.” he said. “That’s what helps fund [them[.” 

A few years ago, while in Bowling Green, Lt. Beam discovered firsthand the impact that Supporting Heroes could have after attending the funeral of a former colleague. 

Since then, the WFD’s Honor Guard has played a positive role. 

“We’ve been all over the state with them,” he said. 

Among other places where the Winchester Fire Department’s Honor Guard has provided aid alongside Supporting Heroes are Somerset and London. 

As noted by Berry, this even once included providing services during two funerals in a single day. 

She spoke further of Winchester Fire Department’s Honor Guard services. 

“It means so much… to the family because the honors that they give that the family is able to witness is really special,” she said. 

While acknowledging that circumstances leading up to their services are oftentimes difficult, Beam also stated that it does provide a feeling of reward. 

“We’re giving the ultimate honors to the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “The family is seeing that. That means so much to them. When you [have] got somebody from western Kentucky and there’s a firefighter from Winchester, Kentucky [present], it lets them know they are important. The job cared about them, the community, the state, [and] the whole Commonwealth cared about them.”