Faught Volunteer Fire Department has a familiar face filling the Board of Directors’ President position – Michael Barbee, who has served as a firefighter with Faught VFD for the past 19 years.
As he has enjoyed volunteering and having served as the board’s Vice President, Barbee said the work is “a true calling.”
“I believe if more people would give time voluntarily of themselves to others, no matter what the pursuit – be that of their local community or mankind in general – this world would be a much better place,” Barbee said. “I’m honored that my peers have chosen myself to take on this role.”
Barbee, paying homage to the board’s previous president – Shane McDowra – said he “deserves kudos for his insight and knowledge that has benefited our department in his past tenure.”
“(McDowra) has moved on to oversee Chicota VFD as their chief and is currently the county first responder liaison with Paris EMS,” Barbee said. “No doubt leading those two agencies to great things as well.”
Barbee said his brother and sister – Matt and Michelle – have also served as volunteer firefighters, “following in our father’s footsteps and had a higher calling to serve our community.”
Barbee’s father, Mike, was a volunteer with Paris Fire Department until the early 80s, before the volunteer system with Paris Fire Department was disbanded. Matt Barbee is Reno VFD’s Assistant Chief and a Paris Fire Department Captain, and Michelle Barbee served many years with Faught VFD.
“It’s hard to believe, it seems like I just joined yesterday,” Barbee said. “We are all like a second family around here – very tight-knit.”
With three children – two girls and a newborn boy –Barbee strives to instill in them “to seek service of others before themselves.”
Barbee’s role as board president for Faught VFD will oversee the department’s business proceedings for meetings, sign off on business and budgetary issues, and more.
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