Aldermen recognize firefighters who helped family at Christmas

Published 7:00 am Thursday, January 23, 2020

Two Poplarville firefighters were recognized for providing service above and beyond their duty during Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

Firemen Michael Deidrich and Donald D’Antonio were recognized by Fire Chief Jason Bannister for assisting a woman who came to the firehouse on Christmas Eve asking for help because she could not afford Christmas gifts or dinner and was worried about ruining Christmas for her child, said Bannister.

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The city received a letter from the woman thanking the two firemen for purchasing gifts and Christmas dinner for her family from their own pockets.

The two firefighters went to the dollar store and bought Christmas gifts and purchased groceries so the family would have Christmas dinner and even put fuel in her car, said Bannister.

“As a fireman, we tend to help the community on the worst day of their life and the best day of their life. We’re here to help however we can,” said Deidrich.

The Board of Aldermen commended the firefighters for assisting the woman at their last Board meeting. At that meeting, Mayor Rossie Creel read the letter, which described the help the firemen offered as “a Christmas miracle.”

Bannister gave the two men Unit Meritorious Citation Awards. D’Antonio was not present at the meeting.

In other business, the Board:

—Approved hiring Chase Lynell Mitchell, Jason Lynell Mitchell and Kevin Michael Briggs as part time firefighters.