News
Jul 28, 2010
Firefighters put community first
For more than three decades, Posey Dillon served Rocky Mount in many capacities -- volunteer firefighter, fire marshal, fire chief, chief fundraiser for ill firefighters, town council member and vice mayor.
Dillon died Monday doing what he did for 33 years for the people in the town and Franklin County -- racing to try to save lives and other people's property from a fire.
Dillon, 59, died on his way to a house fire in Union Hall.
In the fire truck with him was William "Danny" Altice, another veteran volunteer Rocky Mount firefighter. Altice, 67, also died in the accident.
Dillon won't soon be forgotten by those who fought fires along with him and who faced the dangers of being a firefighter. He had become the face and emblem of the fire department.
At town council meetings, Dillon often talked with pride of his fellow firefighters when they attended the meetings.
Dillon had been the town's fire chief for 20 years. He was also the town's fire marshal.
"He (Dillon) is an irreplaceable member of the community. He has served the community in many ways, as a council member and volunteer firefighter and fire chief," Mayor Steve Angle said. "It's a devastating blow to the community.ﾠHe will be greatly missed, as will Danny Altice."
"They put community first in their lives," Angle said, adding that the firefighters died serving the community.
The flags at the Franklin County Courthouse and
Rocky Mount's Emergency Services Building on North Main Street are flying at half staff in honor of the two fallen firefighters.
Born and reared in Glade Hill, Dillon became a volunteer firefighter in Rocky Mount in 1977. The fire department became a big part of his life.
He launched a search for Rocky Mount's first fire engine. He found it, a 1929 Seagrave Special, and helped the town buy it from a collector for $9,000.
"Chief (Dillon) was very easy to get along with," said John Moore, a firefighter who worked with the Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years and ran mutual aid calls with Dillon.
"Hard-nosed. 'Let's go in and get the job done,' he'd say," Moore said.
Town Manager James Ervin said that Dillon was an "amazing individual" who gave so much to the community.
During the past three decades, Dillon has given more volunteer service and time to Rocky Mount than any other individual, Ervin said.
"If you add all the hours he has given to the fire department and his hours as a town council member, he is the one person who has given more service to the community than anyone else,"ﾠErvin said.
"It is an amazing commitment to the community. It is very inspiring," Ervin added.
Charlie Robertson has been appointed fire chief and fire marshal to assume Dillon's duties. Robertson had been the town's assistant fire chief and fire marshal.
A month ago, Dillon had been approved by town council for another term as fire chief at council's biennial reorganizational meeting.
At the same meeting, Dillon was unanimously re-elected vice mayor of Rocky Mount for another two years. He was also elected chairman of council's Streets, Sidewalks and Sanitation Committee.
Dillon served on town council for 24 years, including 10 years as vice mayor. He served on council from 1980 to 2000. He was vice mayor from 1992 to 2000, and from 2008 to 2010.
Now, town council will face the task of appointing someone to replace Dillon and serve the remainder of his term until 2012. Council will choose another council member to serve as vice mayor.
Dillon recently retired from Appalachian Power Co.
He was working on plans to get a new pumper truck for the fire department. He was consulting with fire apparatus manufacturers to prepare specifications for the vehicle. Dillon had hoped to put the specifications out for bids within 45 days.
Dillon was recognized two years ago for his many years of service to the fire department.
At the ceremony, Angle thanked Dillon and other firefighters for their dedication and the long hours they have spent in training, answering calls and "sometimes putting yourself in harm's way."
Angle told Dillon and the firefighters that "they are very much appreciated."
Dillon played a key role this year in the fire department's raising more than $20,000 for the family of Owen Lewis, a firefighter who had a rare form of cancer.
Angle said that Dillon was always focused on helping others and the community.
"He always put community first," Angle said. "He's irreplaceable."
This story is courtesy of the Franklin News-Post and was written by Joel Turner - Staff Writer.
For the latest local news please visit: http://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/.
