Top Photo: Prattville Fire Department Assistant Chief Ricky Roberts. Photo courtesy of PFD.
Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
In his report to the Prattville Council Tuesday, Mayor Bill Gillespie said he had three special topics, including two stories of heroes, and introducing the new City Planner.
First, he asked Fire Chief Josh Bingham to give an update on some local heroes.
Chief Bingham introduced Asst. Chief Ricky Roberts who was recently awarded the American Legion State Firefighter of the Year in Mobile.
Roberts began working with the City of Prattville in 2022. He has been promoted through the ranks and became Assistant Chief on Nov. 3, 2019. He is also the Division D Leader of the Alabama Mutual Aid System (AMAS.)
In September of last year as Hurricane Helene was approaching the eastern part of the United States, Roberts began making a plan, preparing crews and equipment for a potential deployment.
That call came Sept. 27, 2024.
Chief Bingham said, “The message was from a frantic EMA director in North Carolina who was begging for assistance to help rescue civilians trapped by flood waters in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Within hours, Asst. Chief Roberts put his plan to action and by early afternoon the team was on the road to North Carolina.”
Bingham said the team worked tirelessly for 10 days in a small town where 13 people had perished from a flash flood.
“Our team members partnered with firefighters from Birmingham, Calera hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook and Mobile to perform wide area searches on an area that was decimated by this hurricane. Assistant Chief Roberts’ leadership preparation and training brought a lot of closure to the people of western North Carolina and we are truly thankful for his dedication and service to the City of Prattville.”
Roberts received a standing ovation and hug from Chief Bingham.
“Thank you very much. It has been an honor. I am in my 24th year here. The reason our team and I were able to be successful is the education, and the equipment the city has provided to prepare us to do that. While I am humbled by this award, as I was in Mobile, I have to accept this award on behalf of the team. It is really a team effort. I am humbled that you are recognizing me, but the men and women from the Prattville Fire Department and across the state deserve to be up here as just as much as me. I truly appreciate you and this city. I really do.”
Up next, Chief Bingham introduced Prattville resident Brian McClean.
“I wanted to give you an update on the true hero he is,” Bingham said.
Chief Bingham said that on June 21st the fire department was dispatched to 1275 Huie Street. Residents had been removed from the home, and firefighters discovered a fire in the kitchen area, extinguished the fire, and the scene was turned over the fire marshal’s office. Firefighters then spoke to Brian McClean who said he had been riding his bicycle that morning when he saw smoke coming from the building. He knocked on the front door, but no one answered. He then banged on a garage door, and found an occupant who had been asleep, and but he was then able to exit the structure.
McClean then called 911 to report the fire and ultimately was able to save the life of the person in the garage who was unaware of the fire.
Bingham presented McClean with a Challenge coin and praised him for stepping up when he saw something, and said something. McClean received a standing ovation.
Chief Bingham said, “It truly takes a community. We hear it all the time…See something say something. But you really lived up to that. Thank you for doing what, hopefully, most citizens would do. But just for being in the right place, and the right time, and saving that young man’s life.”
McClean spoke to the council and crowd saying he was actually embarrassed to be before them, because he didn’t think he had really done much. But he spoke to his wife, who he said is much smarter than he.
“I was thinking that all I did is what any citizen, any neighbor, anybody in Prattville would have done. But (my wife) said, ‘That is the point. That is what gives you the opportunity to know about it.’ Anyone of us could have been there. I just happened to be the one that was there. It impressed on me – little actions. I banged on the door. I made a phone call. Little actions. But they can have really big consequences, and I am grateful I was there at the time. I am embarrassed but I am also honored.”
Mayor Gillespie then asked Johnathan Smith to come to the podium. He is the new City Planner and wanted to introduce himself.
“It is difficult to follow heroes. I am really excited for this opportunity. I can’t wait to be a member of the Prattville community in full capacity and serve as your planning and development director,” Smith said.
He has been in this line of work for 20 years and has worked for a number of progressive and forward-thinking cities, he said. Smith will officially begin his duties on July 7th.
