Brasstown Volunteer Fire Department Chief JD Robinson considers himself pretty special.
“How many people from Clay County have been invited to the White House,” Robinson asked.
Whatever the number, and Robinson suspects it’s small, he can count himself among the elite. Robinson returned Sept. 9 from Washington, D.C., the day after being among fellow fire chiefs and volunteers to listen to President George W. Bush’s remarks.
“The invitees were all associated with the Citizen Corps program in one fashion or another,” Robinson said. “The Citizen Corps is made up of the Medical Reserve Corps, Freedom Corps, Firecorps and Community Emergency Response Teams.”
Robinson said the President spoke about the need for citizens to volunteer to help their neighbors in times of need and some of the ways available to access groups about volunteering.
“The President is asking all citizens to volunteer at least 4,000 hours during their lifetime to help their fellow citizens when bad things happen to them,” Robinson said.
While the primary purpose for attending was to be on hand to hear the President’s remarks on volunteering, Robinson said the visit also provided an opportunity to network with other volunteers, get ideas about programs and services and see what can be done to improve the Brasstown Fire Department.
Robinson has been involved in fire department related work since 1973. He was a senior in high school and already certified in Georgia as a rescue instructor. He has been a member of the Brasstown Fire Department since 1995.
“In addition to helping someone who is having a bad day, it’s the attitude, ‘I’ll come help you put out your house if you’ll come help me put out mine,’” Robinson said. “We have to help each other in the rural setting.”
There are many opportunities to volunteer, he said. The fire department needs firefighters as well as support, equipment maintenance and administrative assistants.
One important result from Robinson’s visit was renewed enthusiasm for the work he does.
“The President mentioned that this program was begun by Bill Clinton,” Robinson said. “You never see credit given to the opposing side. He said we inspired him. He also inspired me. He is not the bumbling fool portrayed constantly by the television media.”
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www.claycountyprogress.com/articles/2008/09/25/community/doc48dbad0d92327022832615.txt
