By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
County commissioners paid tribute Monday night to firefighters and emergency personnel, while honoring the two firefighters who died in the March 7 blaze at Salisbury Millwork.
“This is about heroes,” Chairman Arnold Chamberlain said. “There were a lot of heroes on that scene.”
Chamberlain pointed to the involvement of more than dozen county volunteer fire departments in the mill fire.
Chamberlain introduced Tom Murphy, county fire marshal, and John Morrison, president of the Rowan Fire and Rescue Association.
“We’re exhausted, mentally and physically,” Morrison said. He added that the county can be very proud of the fire service, EMS and Rescue Squad. “We’re tops in the state.”
Murphy noted that he worked for the city fire service for 36 years before taking the county job.
“It’s pretty devastating,” he said of the loss suffered by the city and the firefighting community.
The resolution cited the ultimate sacrifice of Victor Isler and Justin Monroe, the city firefighters who died in the fire.
“This proclamation represents this community’s universal sense of gratitude and respect for the heroic efforts, contributions and personal sacrifices made by these individuals in the line of duty and in commitment to Salisbury and Rowan County.”
Chamberlain also noted that he had known Justin Monroe’s father, Eddie Monroe, for many years.
“Thank you for Justin,” Chamberlain said.
At the outset of the meeting, Commissioner Tina Hall offered a prayer for the Isler and Monroe families, as well as Rowan County Sheriff’s Deputy Janet Wietbrock, who was seriously injured in a wreck on N.C. 150 Saturday night. She remains hospitalized at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Chamberlain presented copies of the resolution to Murphy and Morrison to be given to the Isler and Monroe families, the Fire and Rescue Association, the city of Salisbury, the city of Spencer, the Emergency Medical Service and the Miller’s Ferry Fire Department.Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.