‘We’re in capable hands:’ White takes reins as Hamlet fire chief

Jan. 28--HAMLET -- Calvin White started fighting fires before he learned to drive, and a hardy crew of old-school firemen taught him how to do both.

White came full-circle on Wednesday, taking the oath of office as Hamlet's fire chief after 40 years of service that won respect and admiration from the men who mentored him as a teenage volunteer.

"Calvin would come up here riding a bicycle," said former Hamlet chief David Fuller. "He didn't learn to drive with a car, he learned to drive with one of our ambulances. I fought fires with Calvin. I always knew if he was with me, he had my back. I had someone I could depend on."

City Manager Marcus Abernethy appointed White as chief of the Hamlet Fire Department Jan. 21 following David Knight's retirement on Dec. 30. Public safety leaders throughout Richmond County hailed the promotion as the next logical step for a homegrown hero.

"I just want to start out by saying how much this means to me," said White, who blinked back tears of joy after Mayor Bill Bayless swore him in with his wife, Gwen, holding the Bible. "This has been a lifelong dream for me and it's been a blessing for me to serve the city I love, to be a part of this community like I have been."

Bayless said he's known White "for at least 40 years" was proud to have a hand in promoting him to fire chief. As deputy chief of the East Rockingham Fire Department, Bayless knows a thing or two about firefighting.

"I am so happy, as is the council," Bayless said. "The council and the mayor have all been unanimous. This is a tradition we're carrying on. We have an excellent fire department -- one of the best. That will continue."

Bayless read a letter from Hamlet native Wayne Goodwin, who serves as state fire marshal in his role as North Carolina's insurance commissioner. Goodwin was unable to attend the swearing-in but offered his congratulations in writing.

Fuller, who led rescue and fire suppression efforts during the Sept. 3, 1991 Imperial Foods plant fire that claimed 25 lives, said he feels "totally safe with Calvin in command of this fire department."

When the former chief suffered a stroke about two years ago, he never doubted the skill and professionalism of the Hamlet firefighters and medics who rushed to his aid.

"It was such a safe feeling," Fuller said. "I knew I was in good hands. I didn't have to worry about it a bit."

Fuller was proud to see one of his proteges and a fellow lifelong firefighter take the department's reins.

"We all came down here as kids like Calvin did," he said. "We grew up in it. It's never not been a part of my life. It's a family, this fire department, and it's still my family."

Charlie Utter, the first fire chief White served under, also offered his congratulations.

"You're a lucky man," Utter said. "You've got a bunch of guys behind you that are with you. I wish you the best."

White received high praise from one of his senior officers, Lt. Richard Lassiter.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be working with this man and for this man," Lassiter said. "All of us will stand behind him. He has the knowledge to lead this department. He's a man of integrity and honesty."

Dobbins Heights Mayor Antonio Blue congratulated the Hamlet City Council on White's appointment. Hamlet provides fire and rescue service for the neighboring town.

"He's done a phenomenal job," Blue said. "You all made a great choice, and we're in capable hands."

Hamlet Fire and Rescue assists other Richmond County fire departments and receives assistance through mutual aid agreements, and Rockingham fire officials were in attendance Wednesday to express support for the new chief and offer their help in forging partnerships.

"You are now the head after today, and behind you stands the neck and body," Rockingham Fire Chief Harold Isler said, gesturing to the Hamlet firefighters lined up behind White. "You've got a good group behind you. I'm proud of you and I'm glad to be a part of this. I know you will do well. I'm here to help."

Richmond County Sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr. and Hamlet Police Chief Scott Waters spoke about the brotherhood between law enforcement officers and firefighters, who often work together at emergency calls.

"You head into danger every single day and you put your lives on the line for us," Clemmons said. "We all have worked together. We're all family at the end of the day. I appreciate that brotherhood, that friendship and that loyalty."

State Rep. Garland Pierce and Richmond County Commissioner Herb Long also offered words of support. White's sister, his brother-in-law and several other attendees who watched White grow up shared stories about the young man driven by a single passion -- to become a firefighter and help others.

"I learned from a lot of these faces out there," White said, looking out over an audience that packed the Hamlet council chambers and spilled out into the hallway. "This means more to me than you can imagine. Thank you."

Reach Editor Corey Friedman at 910-817-2670 and follow him on Twitter @corey_friedman.

___

(c)2016 the Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, N.C.)

Visit the Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, N.C.) at www.yourdailyjournal.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.