Firefighter Rescue from Westhaven House Fire - October 3, 2010

Captain Tom Chaffin and Firefighter-Paramedic Kris Bull rescued Firefighter Wylie Jones from a house fire following an explosion, though they were also injured, earning the Medal of Valor. Chaffin and Bull exited the structure following the blast, believing Jones was ahead of them.  When they made it outside they discovered he wasn’t there, and returned inside to find him.  Jones had been knocked unconscious but awoken and was attempting to exit on his own when they located and rescued him. 

Firefighter Rob Thomas was also injured in the blast.  Fortunately none of the firefighters’ injuries were serious, although the incident could have very easily had a much different outcome and turned deadly. 

The fire started in the chimney of the outdoor fireplace, which was connected by roof to the 7,600- square foot Westhaven home on Championship Blvd.  Flames escaped from the flue and burned inside the structure, spreading through the home and causing a total loss of $2.5 million in damage.

This near-miss experience or “Firefighter Close Call” was the subject of an internal training video that was produced by Franklin Fire EMS Officer Sarah Glenn for a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) class.  First developed for military combat veterans, CISM is an intervention protocol that is now utilized by first responders and others to deal with traumatic events. 

We share this video now with the same intent with which it was created several years ago – to illustrate the fact that near-miss incidents, where a person thinks they or others may die or be hurt badly, can be as traumatic as events that inflict lasting physical harm.  Hope and help is available:

• https://allclearfoundation.org/
• www.IAFFRecoveryCenter.com
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Baby Delivery at Fire Station 1 - October 7, 2002

Fairview expectant parents Dorene and Kevin Pine were on the way to the hospital as Dorene’s labor progressed rapidly; the baby was coming. 

“As we were rolling past Franklin Fire Station #1, just west of town, we were blowing through another contraction and I asked Dorene if she wanted to go there,” said Kevin.  He said that Dorene gasped, “Yes,” and they pulled in behind the bay at the rear of the station.

Kevin said he laid on the horn and the firefighters came running outside.  He shared this story when Lieutenant Terry Hood retired in 2015.  “Terry Hood took charge of the situation.  He calmly asked how far along Dorene was, any complications, et cetera.  Then he asked how many children we had.  When I answered three, he shot a look at Firefighter Nick Darnell that said, ‘We are going to have a baby!’”

The firefighters carried Dorene inside the station.  Two contractions later, Lauren Grace Pine was born at 8:46 p.m.  Kevin said, "She was perfect and pink, with just enough of a cry so you knew she was breathing.”  He added, “There was much relief, joy and tears, and not just from Dorene and me!”

Pictured left to right: Victoria, Lauren, Dylan and Grant Pine.  This photo was taken a few months after baby Lauren was born at Franklin Fire Station 1 on October 7, 2002.

Willard "Shorty" Connor, a 55-year old man, died in a home fire in the house that was next door to the fire station. Connor had an apartment inside the home.  The fire station was located on West Main St. at that time.

Firefighter-Paramedic David Cline died in an off-duty vehicle accident while working at his second job with a private ambulance service.

Heritage Place Apartments Fire Sprinkler Save - October 22, 2011

A fire sprinkler system extinguished an apartment building fire that had been newly rebuilt and updated with fire sprinklers after being destroyed by a fire in September 2010 that claimed the life of a 25-year old man.  The incident took place at Heritage Place Apartments at 700 Westminster Drive, Building H.  To learn more about the September 2010 incident, follow this link:

• September 26, 2010 - Heritage Place Apartment Complex Fire Fatality

Public Square fire - October 29, 1891

The fire burned “Seventeen buildings, consisting of residences and business houses.”  It also burned the fire engine house. – The Daily American