By J.J. Kindred
The Daily Times
TOWNSEND, Tenn. — A Townsend volunteer firefighter was killed Sunday evening when a tractor he was attending to accidentally ran over him.
According to Townsend Volunteer Fire Chief Don Stallions, firefighters received the call at approximately 9:59 p.m. Sunday that the body of Steve Webb, 60, was found under a tractor at his home on Ocie Dee Way in Townsend.
The first Townsend Fire Department units arrived on the scene, and realized it was Webb, Stallions said. The Blount County Fire Department, Rural/Metro Ambulance Service, Townsend Police and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office were also on the scene.
“We quickly assessed the scene and realized he was gone,” Stallions said. “We already requested Blount County (Fire Department) because they had air bags to lift the tractor. We didn’t realize what the situation was, but as soon as we realized who it was, our guys backed out. We handed the scene to the Blount County Fire Department and the Townsend Police Department at that point, but we remained on the scene.”
Webb worked for the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years, and served for the past six years as a captain, mainly driving Engine 1.
“Steve had a deep love for the fire department, and the men and women who served with him,” Stallions said. “On most fire calls, Steve drove and operated Engine 1. He was especially skilled at driving the engine to be able to get into places that even the most experienced drivers would fear, a talent that was frequently called upon due to the narrow steep roads in our response area.
“He took an active role in mentoring our young firefighters,” Stallions said. “He was a strong mentor, and took them under his wing.
“He will definitely leave a hole in the department that won’t be filled,” Stallions continued. “We will go on. I’ve known him 12 years — he was a good friend and a (heck) of a man. He was one of those guys that would do anything for anybody. We have suffered a tremendous loss. Stevie will be greatly missed.”
The accident is under investigation by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.
Meanwhile, as Townsend firefighters were clearing the scene of the accident, a structure fire occurred at the Big Valley Resort, and those on the scene were dispatched to the fire at approximately 12:40 a.m.
Two mobile home structures were fully engulfed, but firefighters were able to control the fire in five minutes. The structures were saved.
“For the first time in a long time Engine 1 rolled without Steve at the wheel,” Stallions said. “Instead, at the wheel was one of those young men that Stevie had mentored. He would have been proud. Our prayers are with Stevie’s family — their loss is more profound than ours. Just as he loved the department, Steve even more so loved his family.”
Republished with permission from The Daily Times