We will actively participate in our community, serve as role models, and strive to effectively and efficiently utilize all of the resources at our command to provide a service deemed excellent by our citizens.
Sadly, the Brownwood Fire Department suffered its own loss of life Thursday evening:
Brownwood Fire Marshal Buddy Preston confirmed that a Brownwood Firefighter died Thursday after he took a fall at a Texas Rangers baseball game in Arlington. Officials state that he is a husband and father.
The firefighter died after taking a head-first fall out of the outfield stands during Thursday night’s game between the Rangers and the Athletics.
The accident happened during the second inning as Josh Hamilton picked up a foul ball and tossed it into the stands for a fan.
Subsequently, the fan was publicly identified as Shannon Stone, who had been with the Brownwood Fire Department for 18 years.
Arguments could probably be made that this tragedy, like the Sundance Resources tragedy that I talked about earlier, could have been prevented. But it's impossible to prevent against any tragedy - the only way to prevent the death of Robert Seamans would have been to eliminate stairway railings, an act which would have resulted in more deaths. And even today I heard a radio caller declaring that he did NOT want any additional barriers between fans and players.
There is a certain level of danger in everyday living, and there is always the risk that something unfortunate could happen. I drive on southern California freeways and roads every day - on one of those days, back in 1991, my car was hit by another vehicle, and my car ended up flipping over.
I'm an advocate of seat belts now, but sometimes there isn't a "seat belt" to protect you.
