Oct 22, 2020

Showing love to Ellinwood first responders

Posted Oct 22, 2020 8:00 PM
Ellinwood first responders were recognized with a special presentation before the high school football game Oct. 16, 2020. <b>(Photo from Jonell Niles)</b>
Ellinwood first responders were recognized with a special presentation before the high school football game Oct. 16, 2020. (Photo from Jonell Niles)

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

A couple of months ago, Tyson Revell saw a video on Facebook with firefighters getting recognized before a high school football game. When a driver crashed into the Ellinwood Fire Department building on Oct. 6, damaging the structure and several vehicles inside, Revell felt it was a good time to boost the morale of the community and emergency personnel.

Revell, a volunteer firefighter for the Ellinwood Fire Department, decided to organize a drive-by recognition for the local fire, EMS and Ellinwood Police Department at last Friday’s Ellinwood High School football game versus Plainville.

"The community members I did hear from said it was cool and did boost morale," said Revell. "I was in one of the trucks and when we were going around by the Plainville side, you could see them at the top the bleachers waving. I thought that was a pretty cool moment."

<b>Photo from Jonell Niles</b>
Photo from Jonell Niles

Not only did emergency vehicles circle around the football stadium Oct. 16, but Revell organized the recognition of Ellinwood EMS Director Brittney Bailey, Fire Chief Chris Komarek and Police Chief Chance Bailey. In true fashion of showcasing what first responders do, Brittney Bailey was absent after responding to the shooting in Lyons that day.

"There are a lot guys and girls that put in hours upon hours in this profession," Revell said. "It is a big sense of pride to be part of the Fire Department. We needed something like this to let everyone in the community know that we are down, but we can fight back from anything."

Along with Komarek, Spencer Profitt stood in for Brittney Bailey and Joe Johns represented Chance Bailey last Friday night and were recognized at midfield before the national anthem.

Revell hopes to make the first responders recognition a yearly event in Ellinwood.    

- EMS Director Brittney Bailey - 14 years with Ellinwood EMS (Director since April 2015)
- Fire Chief Chris Komarek - 39 years with the Ellinwood Fire Department (Fire Chief since 1996)
- Police Chief Chance Bailey -14 years with Ellinwood Police Department (Police Chief since June 2018)

Watch a video from last Friday's first responder recognition in Ellinwood by clicking HERE

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