2011 N-D&L Citizen of the Year: After a lifetime of dedication, Ferguson retires [News-Democrat & Leader, Russellville, Ky.]

Jan. 02--When a call comes in at 2 a.m. asking for assistance with a fire, automobile accident or any other situation that requires help, the volunteer firefighter responds without hesitation. Why does someone dedicate their lives to saving others for no monetary gain? What gives them the drive to spend years of their lives facing danger, leaving their families for helping other people's families and spending countless hours of worry for those who do the same thing?

These questions can all be answered by the people who do it, and according to recently retired fire chief Ben Ferguson the many questions can be answered in one word, which is care.

Because Chief Ferguson has selflessly dedicated 37 years of his life to our community, and was one of the intricate people in starting the thriving Russellville Rural Fire Department, it is the pleasure of the News-Democrat & Leader to select him as our 2011 Citizen of the Year.

It all began in the early 1970s when Ben Ferguson decided to join one of his buddies Darrel Rogers as a volunteer firefighter. At that time there weren't very many in the county who wanted to risk their lives for those in need, and after Rogers returned from a meeting telling Ferguson he was going to join up, it didn't take long for Ferguson to make his decision to do so as well.

"I thought it would be a good thing to do," said Ferguson at the time. "I just wanted to help out any way I could."

After a few others hopped aboard, it seemed as if a volunteer department would be born; however, according to Ferguson that didn't come to pass the first time around.

"We tried to get a department started back then, but we couldn't get enough guys involved. At that time we only had six volunteers. It wasn't until the second time around a few years later that it finally came about," Ferguson added. One of the other intricate members who started the department was JR Sanson. He and a few others began collecting dues around the outskirts of Russellville where the city department did not respond and soon the rural department was born.

The first fire truck the department had was an old Army truck donated by the Civil Defense. Ferguson said at first the rural department was a laughing stock and wasn't taken seriously despite the men that were risking their lives to help others.

"People would see us coming in that old truck and make fun of us. It was hard to take knowing that we were out there to help, but we just ignored it and went on," said Ferguson adding that the old truck only went 25 miles per hour and admitted it did have trouble climbing the hills. "We would ride on the back of the truck," Ferguson said.

The only way back then volunteers knew they were needed was by telephone. If someone called into the police needing help with a fire, the police would ring the volunteers at home and they would respond.

The first fire station the rural department called home was located where the county clerk's office is on Third Street. The location also served as the county's garage and the department had to share the space with the dump trucks.

When Ferguson started as a volunteer it wasn't his only responsibility. He was running two family businesses that kept him very busy, Ferguson's Service Center and Hickory Hill Greenhouse. But that didn't stop him from finding time to help others, even if it meant leaving his own family.

Ben is married to Darlene and they have three children, Debbie, Kevin and Kim, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His family is the most important thing to him and says he couldn't have done what he did all these years without their support.

"That is the one thing I regret from serving as a volunteer fireman, I had to leave my family a lot, and they grew up before I even knew it. I should have spent more time with them now looking back, but I intend to try and make that up now, which is one of the reasons I retired," said Ferguson adding that they never once complained and he was more appreciative than they knew for that.

"There were many a night or early morning I was called out and had to leave my wife sleeping, but I never heard her complain even when I would come home and climb back into bed with cold feet from being out all night. She's a wonderful woman," said Ferguson.

The Rural department has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. The department experienced three more moves before landing in it's permanent home now on the Bypass. They left the county garage and moved to a small shed located behind the courthouse. Another move took them to Owen Street and then where the detention center is now where a barn-type building was erected, but eventually torn down to make way for the new jail. It was from the purchase of that property by the county that the department was able to build the $165,000 facility they are currently in now. "We have worked for everything we have," said Ferguson adding that despite a few grants for equipment, the department has paid for all it has.

Eventually, more fire trucks replaced the old Army tanker that used to drawn snickers and more men joined forces with a department that now draws praise.

"I am glad that I was a part of this," said Ferguson. "To see how far this department has come and the dedication that these firefighters have given is a gift."

Ferguson became the fourth fire chief for the Russellville Rural Fire Department 25 years ago after Charles Lyne, Richard Brooks and Boyd Coursey. His reign as fire chief has been one of the most rewarding of his life; however, he admits he will not miss the stress of worry that comes along with it. Ferguson said worry is part of the job, but admits it takes a lot off of a person over the years.

"You don't just worry about those who call upon you for help, you worry about the firefighters who respond to the call. I can't tell you how many times I have worried about the men and women who answer a call. It was exhausting," said Ferguson who sees each and every one of them as part of his family.

"Even though I will still think of them, I am not going to miss that worry of possibly having to go to that fire fighter's home and tell their family that something had happened to their loved one," and emotional Ferguson said.

Ferguson is proud to say; however, that he never had to do that, and that there has never been a serious injury during his tenure. "When we hold trainings and the state comes down they have said we were one of the best in the state," said Ferguson.

Cheryl Allen was voted in to replace Ferguson as chief for the rural department. She has been a firefighter for 30 years and also serves on the fire department for Logan Aluminum. Allen has worked beside Ferguson for most of those years. She cannot say enough about the man she looks at as a father figure.

"He has been like a daddy to me and is one of the best firefighter and one of the best Christian men in Logan County, and has treated me like a daughter. God put him in my life for a reason," said Allen whose parents died when she was young. "He has been beside me every step of the way, and has been there for every one of us."

Ferguson said he will miss being there, and said he would do it all over again if he could spend more time with his family that is.

"There is a lot more to being a fire fighter and a chief than putting on a badge. You have responsibilities to others and those responsibilities are very serious. I thank the good Lord for all of it. For getting us home safe, and allowing us to do what had to be done," said Ferguson.

Allen says of Ferguson that it is his leadership that has helped made the success of the department. "He was a strong leader who is grounded and helped ground us with his faith and love," said Allen adding, "You either liked him or didn't, but you had to respect him because you knew he cared about you, and also had the experience that he knew what he was talking about."

Allen said whenever Ferguson came into a training it was all about the safety of the firefighters. "He is outspoken and very strong in his beliefs. You knew what he stood for, and that was what was best for the fire department," said Allen.

To Ferguson, there is no such word a volunteer. He said the firefighters, although they receive no pay, work as if they do, and work as if they receive $100,000 for what they do. They are extremely important in the fabric of the community. They dedicate their time and their lives for the love of others unconditionally.

Ferguson was thrown a retirement party in November at the extension office where firefighters past and present showed up to bid him a farewell. It was a very emotional time, but it was a very rewarding time to see the effects he had on everyone, from those he served with, to those he helped along the way.

As for those he has left behind, he has faith they will carry on without him in the fashion they did before he left. "They can make it better or tear it apart, it will be up to those who come after me, but I have faith they will carry on with the pride and dignity they have shown throughout the years," said Ferguson.

One of the projects he hopes will come to fruition even after his departure is a substation to be located out Hwy. 100. This project, said Allen, is still Ferguson's to see happen. "It is because of him that this idea has gotten this far," said Allen of the substation that will be located down from the airport and will supply fire protection in that area of the county.

Ferguson can't say enough about the other fire departments in Logan County and says because of the mutual aid agreement with those and neighboring counties, protection is of the highest ever. He also praises all law enforcement within the county and says they have been most supportive.

One of the best accomplishments while Ferguson has been on board the department is the ISO rating of 7, which is very high and lowers home owner's fire insurance costs. This is what the substation will do for the area on Hwy. 100 when it is built.

"I credit the Lord for it all," said Ferguson once more. "It is because of Him that I have been so blessed and the department blessed as well."

Ferguson may go home, but the effects of his presence over the year will stay and echo over the community for years and years to come.

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(c)2012 the News-Democrat & Leader (Russellville, Ky.)

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