Hometown Rankin - October & November 2016

Richland Fire Chief
David Stanley
Why did you decide to be a firefighter?
For the most part, it was all coincidental, perhaps
fate. I was approached by some members of a newly
built volunteer fire department in a small community
called Three Forks. I worked nights, and they needed
someone to respond in the day. The next meeting,
I was sworn-in and given personal protective
equipment and a radio. They showed me as much
as they could, like how to get my gear on correctly
and search patterns.
About a week later, we were paged out for a house
fire. When I arrived, the house was over halfway
involved. I partnered up with some senior firefighters
and went in with them. The intense heat and flames
were all around us but we fought the fire and
extinguished it, saving the rest of the house and
belongings. It was at that moment that I could not
believe people got paid to do what I just did. So for
the next two years, I tried to get on with a department.
I have thought of this numerous of times. It goes
beyond pay, for sure. It reaches deep down into your
desire to help people, work as a team towards
something greater than one’s self, and to save lives and
property while making a positive impact in society.
How long have you been with Richland Fire
Department?
I started this grand adventure on August 2, 2016
and love the department as well the city.
Tell us about your family.
Unfortunately, I have out-lived my grandparents
and parents. However, my wife April and I have
been married for 19 years and are raising 5 children.
I have two boys in college with the oldest getting his
Ph.D. The other has been accepted into medical school.
Rachel, our oldest daughter is 15 years old and
11-year-old Ashley is our middle child. She is the
girly-girl whereas Rachel is my tomboy. Dyllan is
the youngest at 10 years old. He’s my little buddy.
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
I get this question quite a bit. Out of my 24 years
of emergency service, with 20 in EMS and 3 years as
a flight medic, I can honestly say whatever you can
think of, I have seen it or, more than likely, done it.
I have seen lives taken unexpectedly and with great
violence, innocence lost from babies and from the
elderly.
What gets me through all of the carnage and
sheer devastation and tragedies is God. He gives the
strongest warriors the toughest battles. Obviously,
there were times when I was not sure; however, I know
He would not give me anything I cannot handle–that
is His promise. Sometime we need to remember that.
The toughest part is standing at the caskets and
gravesites of my fellow brothers who I have lived and
worked with for over a third of my life. We have
fought many battles, held the hands of the innocent,
and supported each other financially, mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually. These are the brothers
who supported me through the loss of all of my
family and even a son. These brothers are my family
and, throughout my career, I have lost too many of
them to accidents, heart disease, and cancer. Hearing
the last call when the bell rings is definitely hard.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
What is that, spare time? What time I do have, I
try to spend it with family and friends. I like hanging
out at the firehouse and to fish. This is my recent
sport, just picked back up. My goal here is to put the
fish on the endangered species list and I’m doing it
one fish at a time.
What are three things on your bucket list?
This is a tough question because I honestly
believe I’ve done everything I’ve ever wanted to do.
Most people would answer with places, events, or
extravagant experiences. However, my bucket list is
being a firefighter. God blessed me beyond what I
deserve and has allowed me to fulfill a career with
amazing experiences.
Back in Corinth, I worked my way through the
ranks to company officer. This was something I
always wanted to do, lead my comrades into battle,
teaching them all that I knew. As a paramedic, I was
involved with coordinating several scene flights.
As they lifted off, I wondered if I could ever be that
good. That day came and I flew as a flight medic for
three years.
Having had most of my training at the Mississippi
State Fire Academy, I told myself that one day I’d be
training members of the fire service. Eventually I
served as a senior instructor. Knowing training is the
backbone of a department, a training officer will have
great contributions to the success of a fire department.
I went on to serve in Jackson as the chief of training.
This was a great experience and learned even more.
Now, here we are. For some unknown reason,
God blessed me way more than I deserve. I do not
see what he sees in me, but I am glad to receive his
favor. I have been given an opportunity to come to
Richland and serve the best fire department and
wonderful city as the fire chief. For me the fire service
is my bucket list. It has allowed me to see, experience,
and impact people’s lives beyond what I deserve. I
cannot think of anything else I want to do.
Who is someone you admire and why?
There are so many people I admire. These are the
ones who believed in me, helped me, and mentored
me into a better person–from my parents to my
teachers in my early years. Jack, Bobby, and
Raymond who showed me fire behavior in the fires,
as well helped me master the organized chaos of the
emergency scene. When I moved to the metro area,
I worked beside the very ones who taught me how
to fight fire at the MSFA. Perhaps the two most
influential in my life are Dr. Jeffery Brown (Doc)
who has become family in my eyes and Chief Rob
Martin. These two men allowed me to follow them,
pick their brains, and always guided my path when
I was unsure of myself. They demonstrated true
leadership and pushed me to new heights. They have
impacted my life profoundly and hope one day I can
rise to their level.
68 • October/November 2016