F.F.A.M.

Eight Promoted to Firefighter

The Southern Stone County Fire has recently promoted eight of its members to the rank of a firefighter within the district. The promotion ceremonies were during the June, July, and September board meetings. The promotional ceremony introduced a new “green stripe” tradition.

Southern Stone Fire Deputy Chief Mike Moore stated, “It builds off a tradition in the Southern Stone County Fire district started several years ago when a green stripe of duct tape, was placed on the top of an introductory firefighter’s helmet. It was a simple way to identify a new, introductory member on the incident scene. When the introductory training was finished the green stripe came off.” Since its inception, every introductory firefighter wore that green stripe through his or her training.

Deputy Chief Moore said, “To carry that tradition to the next level, we have come up with a new tradition, with respect to that green stripe.” We will continue to have the newly promoted firefighter remove the green stripe. However, now the firefighter will cut off a piece of that green stripe and stick it on the bottom brim of the promoted firefighter’s new traditional helmet. As a part of the new promotion ceremony, the following is read aloud before the green stripe coming off.

“The purpose of this new tradition is threefold. First, to ensure that the firefighter humbly remembers and never forgets that he or she was once the new person, the green stripe, the newbie, who started with little to no knowledge of the fire district. Second, this tradition reminds the firefighter that there is a personal responsibility to continue to grow in his/her knowledge of the fire service. Being a student of the craft of firefighting never stops. We all have a little green stripe left to remind and encourage ourselves to pursue personal growth and development. Third, that the firefighter has a responsibility to pass along the knowledge and skills to future introductory firefighters. This simple green piece of tape reminds the firefighter of the obligation to ensure that the next group of green stripes understands the values and responsibilities of our fire district.”

The promoted firefighter is then encouraged to cut off as many pieces of the remainder of the green stripe to give to individuals who have guided, encouraged, mentored, and trained him/her as a symbol of appreciation.

“This new tradition will certainly provide the ties we have to our past and will have to our future,” said Moore, “while also providing a connection to each other as proud members of the Southern Stone Fire Protection District.”

Promotion Day was a special day for the Hembree Family! Pictured above left to right are son, Joe Hembree who completed his firefighter basic training with Southern Stone County Fire; father, Darryll Hembree who currently serves with Branson Fire Rescue; and son, Jake Hembree who was promoted to firefighter with Southern Stone Fire.