Letter from local resident shines a light on fire department heroism
Fire Chief praises first responders after receiving letter
By DON WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
A heartfelt letter of gratitude recently made its way to West Memphis Fire Chief Barry Ealy, shining a spotlight on the compassion and dedication of two first responders who went “above and beyond” in a time of grief.
The letter, written by local resident Shawn Rhyne, expressed deep appreciation for Battalion Chief Kevin Catt and EMT Allen Ware, who provided support during the recent loss of Rhyne’s father. Describing their kindness and professionalism as “beyond commendable,” Rhyne credited the two men with making an incredibly difficult time just a little more bearable.
“In a world where kindness can sometimes feel scarce, their compassion reminded us that there are still extraordinary individuals who go out of their way to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” the letter read. “My family and I will forever be grateful for their contributions.”
“Both Chief Catt and EMT Ware demonstrated a level of care and dedication that is beyond commendable.” the letter continued, “Their actions not only reflected their commitment to their roles but also showed a genuine concern for the well-being of others. In a world where kindness can sometimes feel scarce, their compassion reminded us that there are still extraordinary individuals who go out of their way to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Chief Ealy, in response, shared his pride in the department and his appreciation for the recognition of his team’s hard work. “As we continue to try and foster an environment that allows outstanding individuals to thrive, I consider myself blessed to have such a great team in place in our department who will go above and beyond in a time of crisis,,” he said.
Ealy also emphasized that while positive feedback is always appreciated, the department takes all input seriously. “We weigh even the negative feedback with the same importance as the positive and use it as a way of taking the temperature of how we are performing our duties and, if need be, adjust accordingly to the individual neccessities or the community we serve.”
