Hoover VFD FireFighters Memorial
Rodney was taken from us on August 4, 1999 by cancer. Rodney was one of the founding members of the
Hoover VFD and was well known by all local citizens. The loss of Rodney greatly impacted everyone that
knew and loved him. Rodney, a one of a kind guy, will be missed.
On August 19, 2006 Firefighter Bob Campbell went 10-42 from the Hoover Volunteer Fire Department
and went 10-8 for Eternal service with the Lord. Bob was one of the founding members of the fire dept.
He dedicated 14 years to protecting citizens and property, and will be greatly missed. We know he
is watching over us and protecting all those he cared for.
September 11, 2001
Remember those who gave their lives on September 11, 2001 so that others might live.
FIRE FIGHTERS CREED
Hoover VFD would like to dedicate this creed to all fire fighters and those firefighters who have
given their lives in the line of duty.
When I'm called to duty GOD
Wherever flames may rage
Give me strength to save a life
Whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person
From the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
To hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
And to give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor and
Protect his property.
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
Bless with your protecting hand
My children and my wife.
THE CREATION OF THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER
When the Lord was creating volunteer firefighters, he was in to his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and
said, "You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you read the specification on this person? Volunteer firefighters have to be able to go for
hours fighting fires or tending to a person that the usual everyday person would never touch, while putting in the back
of their minds the circumstances. They have to be able to move at a second’s notice and not think twice of what they
are about to do, no matter what danger. They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on half-eaten
meals, and they must have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head and said, "Six pairs of hands…..no way."
"It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems," said the Lord, "it’s the three pairs of
eyes a volunteer firefighter has to have."
"That’s on the standard model ?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. "One pair to see through the fire and where they and their fellow firefighters should fight the fire next.
Another pair here in the side of the head to see their fellow firefighters and keep them safe. And another pair of eyes in
the front so they can look for the victims caught in the fire who need their help."
"Lord," said the angel, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
" I can’t," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can carry a 250-pound man down a flight of stairs to
safety from a burning building, and can feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the volunteer firefighter very slowly, "Can it think ?"
"You bet," said the Lord. "They can tell you the elements of a hundred fires and can recite procedures in their sleep
that are needed to care for a person until they reach the hospital. And all the while they have to keep their wits about
them. Volunteer firefighters also have phenomenal personal control. They can deal with a scene full of pain and hurt,
coaxing a child’s mother into letting go of the child so they can care for the child in need. And still they rarely get
recognition for a job well done from anybody, other than fellow firefighters."
Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the firefighter. " There’s a leak," she
pronounced. "Lord it’s a tear. What’s the tear for ?"
"It’s a tear from bottled up emotions for fallen comrades. A tear for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the
American Flag. It’s a tear for all the pain and suffering they have encountered. And it’s a tear for their commitment
to caring for and saving lives of their fellow man!"
"What a wonderful feature. Lord you’re a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber and said, "I didn’t put it there."
"Author Unknown"
