By Travis Allen

There is one on every corner. Well, at least it seems that way, doesn’t it?

I’m sure you are wondering what in the world Sheriff Allen is talking about?

North Carolina is right in the middle of what is called the Bible Belt. There is a church of some kind on almost every corner and definitely one or two in every community. They are tucked down back roads, sitting at crossroads, and when you stop and ask for directions, someone will tell you to go “just down the road.”

Let me ask you another question along the same lines. Name one other organization that is represented in most, if not all, of our rural communities? Let me give you a little hint. They drive big red trucks and spray water on things that are hot. Now that narrows it down, doesn’t it? Of course, I am referring to fire departments, and mostly the volunteer type.

Almost all of us here in the south go to church. Some only on Christmas and Easter, but hey, it’s a start, right? How many of you have actually visited your local volunteer fire department? I am sure many may have visited for a plate of BBQ or fried fish during a fundraiser. Some of you have had tragic incidents when the fire department came to you. But I would say that half of the community has never had any interaction with their local fire department.

Let’s put these two things together, shall we? COVID crippled many church congregations a few years back and many have not recovered. Membership is down, many who do participate watch services through digital media these days. Many don’t darken the doorways of our churches like our parents and grandparents did.

How about the fire department? In the old days the siren would sound at the local fire department and people would come out of the fields, farms and shops in the community to respond to the emergency at hand. Almost everyone was involved in the local fire department or at least personally knew several local firefighters. Heck, they were their neighbors, kinfolk and friends.

Just as COVID decimated many church rosters, the local fire departments are feeling the strain as well. What once were extremely rural areas are now filled with subdivisions, private shops and businesses. You would think the growth of the community would add to the growth of volunteers to local fire stations. However, that has not been the case. People these days seem to be too busy. Many of our rural fire departments struggle to provide daily coverage in their districts. Some have added part-time employees in order to have coverage during the day when many others are at work. These men and women not only work full-time jobs but also answer the call to help you and I when they are off work. No matter how short staffed they are, no calls go unanswered.

You may be asking, sheriff what is your point? Well let’s get to the gist of this article. Many of you know that the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and many other Rowan County Emergency Service agencies were very active in western North Carolina immediately after the destruction of Hurricane Helene. Our sheriff’s office was up there giving support to the Avery County Sheriff’s Office. I remember getting numerous questions back here at home during this event. It seems like everyone wanted to know what it was like, what was needed and who was (or was not) getting the job done.

Well, while the entire emergency service community and civilian volunteers from across the state were and still are instrumental in the recovery, I quickly saw that the real heroes in western NC were the local churches and the volunteer fire departments. Now, I have worked along side of our local VFDs for almost 30 years. I have seen them on literally hundreds of calls, from cows in the roadway to massive fires. I’ve always respected them and appreciated their work.

Since Hurricane Helene, I now look at the VFDs as well as the local churches in a different light.

Local VFDs were some of the first to check on their neighbors. Even though many of them themselves were victims of horrible loss, they focused on taking care of and checking on their fellow man. Early on during the hurricane these VFDs were the only source of information as to who was cut off, who was missing and where help was needed. There were no cell phones. There was no 911. The only way to get help was if help came to you. That’s exactly what the local volunteer departments did.

They answered the call that never came. They went without being called. Their knowledge and immediate response was probably the most instrumental activity in those first 48 hours.

I have been a church goer my entire life. I’ve taught Sunday school to adults, teens and children. I’ve seen how the local church supported missionaries and ministered to the community. However, I had never seen the local church in action in a true community disaster. The main purpose of the church is to minister to the soul of a man, however during the relief efforts churches became everything from hotels to soup kitchens to shopping centers. The congregations of these churches focused efforts not only on the souls but the physical plight of their neighbors.

I remember one trip with other Rowan County Emergency personnel dropping off supplies at a church that was already filled to the brim with supplies when an 18-wheeler pulled up. The local pastor met the driver in the parking lot and asked what he was there for. The driver explained that he had supplies and was told to deliver it to this church. The pastor stood there scratching his head for minute. He knew the trailer behind the truck was bigger than his entire sanctuary and the fellowship hall already looked like a Walmart. But those church members jumped in and began unloading the truck into the sanctuary. The pews quickly began filling up. The pastor looked over at us and said, “Well, I guess we will not be having a service inside there anytime soon.” While we were there, the supplies were going out of the church as fast as they were going in. Members were loading trucks, cars and vans and getting supplies to where they could. ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles took the supplies where cars could not. This same scenario was happening at hundreds of churches and fire departments throughout the mountains.

To be a hero you don’t have to be Superman, Batman or Spiderman. All you have to do is get involved in your local church or your local volunteer fire department. Do you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself? You don’t have to quit your job or even relocate where you live. There are places right across the street that need you. You can roll up your sleeves and lend a helping hand. Maybe you can’t fight fires or even teach a Sunday school lesson, but you can still support their fundraisers and fill the pews. Rowan is not a small county anymore. However, it is not too big that you can’t make a difference. You don’t have to look very far to find heroes in your community, and you may not realize it but you yourself can be a part of a congregation or department that is ready to lend a helping hand even during the worst of times. One day your community may need you.

Travis Allen is the sheriff of Rowan County.