This is the first in a series of articles over the next several months highlighting public service in Grayson County.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” President Woodrow Wilson, also in the early 1900s, stated, “There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.”
There are not many, if any, higher callings than committing oneself to the service of others. And in Grayson County, the predilection of serving the community manifests itself in the volunteer fire departments that dot the landscape.
From Big Clifty, where East Grayson Fire Department members call home, to Caneyville, the seven volunteer fire departments in Grayson County play enormous roles in saving lives, comforting victims, battling house fires, assisting EMS, responding to car accidents, executing water rescues and recoveries, and searching for missing residents among many other services.
The Anneta, Caneyville, Clarkson, East Grayson, Falls of Rough, Leitchfield, and Wax volunteer fire departments are comprised of men and women who have dedicated their lives to helping others, regardless of whether it is inconvenient. As, many times, the call of duty arises during family meals, family gatherings, holidays, in the middle of the night, and at other inopportune moments because emergencies have no sensitivity to the volunteers’ life schedule. But respond, they do, regardless of circumstances.
That dedication to the service of others, this reporter discovered, appears to be hereditary. Or maybe that’s the wrong description. Instead, perhaps it’s the atmosphere of serving others that permeates particular households while breathing a lifetime of public service into the family unit.
This theory is no more apparent than in Caneyville where a significant number of the Caneyville Fire Department roster is made up of family members. And it starts at the top, with Chief Brian Pharris.
Pharris, who also serves as a process server for the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, was exposed to serving others, unsurprisingly, by his father.
“As a kid my dad was a firefighter on the Caneyville Fire Department. Going on some of the calls with him made me want to help also,” Pharris said.
He has likewise passed along the importance of serving others to his and his wife Kara’s two children, Justin and Erica Pharris, both of whom serve alongside their father on the Caneyville Fire Department.
“I’m very proud of my kids wanting to become firefighters and help their community out,” Brian said. “I believe they have learned to be even more responsible adults because of it.”
Perpetuating and inspiring an eagerness to participate in public service comes from exposure to public service, as Justin noted that, like his father, being surrounded by those serving instilled a desire to help others; a desire Justin gladly relented to in 2021 by joining the fire department.
“When I was little, I looked up to the Caneyville Fire Department as heroes and I saw them help people on their worst days,” Justin said. “I was raised in the fire house since I was a little boy and now I’m the one kids will look up to, and know if they are ever in need I will be there just like the fire department was for me.”
Erica, like her brother, was a witness to public service her entire life, and after giving serious consideration to joining the firefighting ranks at Caneyville, in October 2022, she decided it was time to enroll in the exhaustive training program and don the gear.
“Growing up I was always around the firehouse. I never saw myself as a firefighter but the more I was involved in doing things with the fire department made me realize I was actually part of the department, regardless,” Erica said. “My brother decided to join in 2021, and after that people started to question when I was going to join. I always made the excuse (that) I didn’t have time. (But) after sitting down and giving it thought, I decided it was time to become a firefighter myself … because my heart has always been set on helping people and will continue for the rest of my life.”
Serving the public has always been a priority for Erica, whether on the fire department or helping the elderly. Assisting those in need is simply embedded in her DNA, courtesy of the example she witnessed as a child and young adult.
“Public service has always been a dream of mine. My heart is set on helping people,” she said. “I don’t do it for recognition or to be labeled a hero, I do it because that’s how I was raised up. I was raised to be kind and caring to people, to help people in need and to be there for them when they need someone. I had a neighbor that was dear to my heart that I gained a friendship with and helped her around her house. After she passed away, I knew I wanted to help the elderly and take care of them. I started working at Spring View Nursing and Rehab where I had the pleasure of being able to care for residents and provide them with their needs. I am (currently) employed with Horizon Adult Home Care where I can continue to help the community and care for the elderly who need assistance.”
Justin echoes his sister’s thoughts, reiterating that the pattern of public service he witnessed as a youngster helped steer him to helping others. He also hopes his example of providing public service will be passed along to his younger, extended family members.
“Like my sister has said before, we don’t go on scenes just to be recognized or to be labeled a hero, we do it because that’s how we were raised up,” Justin said. “I have a nephew that looks up to me and I hope when he and my niece grow up, they will want to follow in our footsteps and help the community like we have.”
Dealing with death and destruction
Firefighters have, at times, a disturbingly difficult job. The scenarios fire department personnel encounter can be gruesome and profoundly sad, and will cruelly challenge the hearts and minds of even the most dedicated public servant.
What allows first responder volunteers to process and react to situations that most people would be deterred by is the overwhelming desire to help.
“The most challenging aspect of the job is keeping your head on straight: Focusing on what is in front of you and not letting things get to you no matter how bad the situation is,” Erica stated. “Whether it be a fire run or car accident, etc., you must remain calm. You will see things you don’t want to see and it will always stay with you no matter how hard you try not think about them, especially if it’s a family member or close friend. There have been times where I have been on a scene, and it started to get to me, but I have to remain calm and proceed doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Dealing with horrendous incidents can soften even the most hardened firefighting veteran, but, unlike yesteryear, discussing difficult scenes, whether it be a residential fire or fatality accident, plays a major role in firefighters ably functioning in their everyday lives.
“I would say mental health is one of the most challenging parts of the job, whether it be a car accident, fire run or medical run,” Justin said. “There will be times where you see things you don’t want to see and you’ll never be able to unsee those things. Over the past two years, I have worked many scenes such as fire runs, vehicle accidents, or medical calls … When the worst outcome happens on a scene, we all talk about it and make sure everyone is okay.”
Thankful and proud
As proud as Brian is of Erica and Justin and their decision to join the ranks of those who serve the public, they are possibly even more proud of Brian and the role model he provides for them and others.
“I am very proud of my father. Me and my dad have always been close,” Erica said “We always do things as a team. We go-kart race together, we played softball together, and now we’re on the fire department together. He’s a great father and he’s also a wonderful papaw to my kids. My dad has a good heart and loves helping people and I will always be grateful for him.”
“I am very proud of my father in many ways,” Justin added. “He has been the best father and chief you could ask for. He has gone above and beyond to make sure we all are taken care of at home and on any calls we are paged out to.”
The Pharris,’ and others like them, do not volunteer for the betterment of the Pharris’ but rather for the furtherance of their community. And all three, Brian, Erica and Justin, learned there is no higher calling than a life in public service from those who served before them.
(Photo l-r: Erica Pharris, Brian Pharris, Justin Pharris)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
