By Ronnie Moore
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company
Many Fort Oglethorpe residents are thankful that Fire Chief Bruce Ballew became a volunteer firefighter as a 16-year-old looking for ways to be involved.
“Being a volunteer in the department gave me something to do outside school and sports,” he said. “There were insurance issues because of my age, and I had to ride the backup rescue truck.”
Mr. Ballew has remained a member of the department since 1965 and was named chief five years ago.
“Being a firefighter gets in your blood,” he said. “You’re in a family. We’re all sisters and brothers.”
His interest in firefighting and the value it represents to the community continued through Chattanooga State Technical Community College, the U.S. Air Force and several regular employment posts, including with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
“Lots of people, including my wife, say I put too much time into fire department work,” he said. “Theresa supports me, but I can see frustration when she has prepared a meal, I receive a fire call, leave and return hours later.”
Chief Ballew said the Class 3 fire rating from the Insurance Services Organization requires a combination of many factors, “especially good people and good training.”
He said there are 71 members in the department, including four or five full time.
“Volunteers must be kept motivated and active,” the chief said. “We train for three hours each Thursday night.”
City Councilman Louis Hamm said Mr. Ballew is a great fire chief.
“He’s an encourager and keeps morale high,” he said. “Our department is known throughout the state and well respected. Look at our ISO rating and all the state awards received by our members.”
Eight department members have received state awards since 1998, including two for valor, four firefighters of the year, one educator of the year and one rookie firefighter of the year.
Councilman Harold Silcox said the chief is “absolutely first-rate. Look at our rating and state awards for individual members. That quality reduces insurance premiums for residents.”
Mr. Ballew said the department has been lucky with a recently graduated class of 11 volunteer recruits.
He said about 75 percent of fire/rescue department calls are of a medical nature, while 70 percent of department personnel are trained emergency medical technicians.
For fun and relaxation, Mr. Ballew enjoys flying remote-controlled airplanes and gardening.