Miss. firefighter keeps clothes on as Mr. February

By Henry Bailey
The Commercial Appeal

Photo Mississippi Burn Foundation/City of Hernando Hernando Fire Dept. Lt. Bubba Early is “Mr. February" in the 2012 Mississippi Firefighters Calendar. "It's strictly a decent calendar," said Fire Chief Hubert Jones. Calendar sales will aid services for burn victims in the state.

HERNANDO, Miss. — Hernando Fire Lt. Bubba Early has been revealed as "Mr. February" — and the city couldn't be prouder.

The 18-year veteran of the department was selected from units across the state to be featured in a publication raising funds to aid burn victims: the 2012 Mississippi Firefighters Calendar.

"It doesn't surprise me that he was nominated to participate in this worthy effort. Bubba Early is a real community-minded guy," Mayor Chip Johnson said.

Early is also involved with the Fire and Life Safety Program and Prom Promise.

The department also is happy: "It's strictly a decent calendar," said Fire Chief Hubert Jones.

Early said he's taken a good deal of ribbing, but that's OK with him. "It's all for a good cause," he said.

It's not about him, he said. "The main thing is to raise money to help burn victims and their families. The calendar is a real good deal."

Sales of the calendar are part of a fundraising effort by the Mississippi Burn Foundation, formerly the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association. The foundation offers financial assistance to victims who need help in overcoming hardships that serious burns can cause.

In addition to being the calendar's fully geared-up February selection, Early is helping sell the calendar locally.

Amanda Fontaine, foundation executive director, said funds will be used to help build the Burn Lodge, planned on the grounds of the Joseph M. Still Burn and Reconstructive Centers Inc. at Crossroads River Oaks Hospital in Brandon, near Jackson.

The Burn Center in Greenville closed in 2005 and reopened in 2008 in Brandon. About 200 burn patients and their families had to travel to Georgia and other out-of-state centers before the opening of the Brandon facility, Fontaine said.

The foundation also sponsors Camp Funshine, a program to provide all the activities of a traditional camp to young burn victims.

Calendars can be purchased in Hernando at The Spot sports grill at 210 E. Commerce St., and at City Hall, 475 W. Commerce St. For more information, call Julie Harris at (662) 429-9092.

Copyright © 2012 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.    Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy