Local Ellis County Emergency Service District #3 took the opportunity of the special season of Christmas to honor the local volunteer firemen and their families on Monday night. The group met at the Mt Zion AME Church in Italy and the church’s youth fed the firemen bar-b-que, homemade potato salad, beans, deviled eggs and special desserts.

Jackie Cate, local volunteer and member of the Fire District board, welcomed the firemen and their families. “We thank you for putting your life on the line every time you go on a call and this dinner is a small token of how much you are appreciated,” Cate said. “The local board has limited resources and we strive to help you serve this community,” Cate explained. Fire Chief Don Chambers honored each fireman with certificate and explained how many years each man had served. “There were 344 calls this year.”

Bobby McBride 2.61 years
Russel Coers 7.5 years
Tommy Sutherland 8.26 years
Ronnie Dabney 12.27 years
Josh Droll 12.86 years
Brad Chambers 13.86 years
Paul Cockerham 15.17 years
Lynn Lambert 17.51 years
Michael Chambers 17.63
Sal Perales 19.08 years
Jackie Cate 24.27 years
Randy Boyd 25.26 years
Donald Chambers 38.36 years
Combined accumulated years of service is 214.64

The Fire District Board includes Murrie Wainscott, Howard Morgan, Vicente Guerro, Jim Steele and Jackie Cate.