August 13, 2016 -
Each year, College Station, Texas hosts the Texas Municipal Fire/ Rescue Training School, with classes being held on the Texas A&M University campus, as well as Brayton Fire Training Field, which is the largest facility of its kind in the world. This school takes place on the last full week of July each year, and is made possible by the participation of some three hundred guest instructors, who take time from their jobs and lives to help train emergency personnel from across the state. On Wednesday, July 27th, the school paused before its morning session to honor tenured guest instructors who had passed away since last year's school. The annual memorial gives a solemn tribute to the service and dedication of these instructors, including a full honor guard, a pipe and drum corps, and a "Firefighter's Prayer". The instructor's name is permanently inscribed on the Memorial Wall, which is located inside the front entrance of Brayton Fire Field. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department said goodbye to two of its cornerstone members this past December, and both were tenured instructors at the Municipal School.
Former JVFD Fire Chief James Michael Wood served as a guest instructor for 23 years on Project 63, Positive Pressure Ventilation, which teaches advanced interior structural firefighting techniques to students in Firefighting Phase III. Chief Wood served the JVFD from 1974 until his death on December 17th, 2015. He served the department as a firefighter, fire chief, training officer, and safety officer. He was also a science teacher at Joaquin High School for over 30 years, and recruited many of his students into the fire service. Mike's wife, Lavonne, daughters Janie Jones and Jennifer Whittlesey, son-in-law David Jones, and granddaughters Carsen McFarland, Peyton Jones, and Mary Kate Whittlesey were all in attendance for the memorial.
Former JVFD Fire Chief Elmer Reverne Mathews served as a guest instructor for 17 years on Project 24, Pump Operations, which teaches fire department pump skills and water supplies to students in Firefighting Phase II. Chief Mathews was a charter member of the JVFD, serving from its formation in 1973 until his death on December 25th, 2015. He served the department as a firefighter, fire chief, and training officer. Also, prior to his passing, Chief Mathews was the only Chaplain the JVFD ever had. He was also a career educator, working as a math teacher, elementary principal, bus driver, and football stadium announcer for the Joaquin ISD for over 30 years. Elmer's wife Dorothy, son Rodney and wife Denise, and daughter Nancy Smith and husband Frank were all present for the memorial.
JVFD 1st Assistant Chief Jeremy Boyett, 2nd Assistant Chief Steve Cockrell and his wife Joyce, Training Officer Stephen Ewing, Secretary/ Treasurer Rusty Wilson, Assistant Fire Marshall Justin Boyett, and Firefighters Jesse Parent and Michael Bates were also on hand for the ceremony. The influence and leadership that Chief Mathews and Chief Wood provided to the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department will be felt for many years to come. Their commitment to training is still carried on today.
