WVVA Hometown Heroes: Tazewell County couple’s commitment to community shines through volunteer fire work

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - Elizabeth Bennett is more than just a member of the Thompson Valley Volunteer Fire Station. She’s been married to the chief here long before he stepped into that role.

Mike Bennett says he’s worked in the ranks of volunteer firefighters since he was sixteen years old.

“I always told everybody I was a slow learner in school because they taught you to run away from a fire and I run to it,” Mike said. “I just want to help somebody.”

Elizabeth has been supportive of Mike’s volunteer work in the fire service from day one, even when a training exercise made Mike late for their date at the altar.

Elizabeth said, “While I was at the church getting all gussied up and looking pretty and everything, I didn’t have a groom.”

Mike was at a mock fire training.

Elizabeth continued, saying, “We had to send the police out to get my groom so we could get married.”

Mike arrived at the church in front of a town police car.

And the love they share smolders as hot on this day as it did on their wedding day 34 years ago, but so does their connection and commitment to their community.

It’s something that has not gone unnoticed here in Thompson Valley.

WVVA shared the nomination letter that led to their selection as Hometown Heroes submitted by Beckie Arrington.

“I don’t do the things that I do for praise,” said Mike. “I appreciate Miss Arrington, but I’d just as soon the men and women of this station get the pat on the back.”

“Well, for me, I have a very strong, religious background, and to love God and to serve him is to serve others in my community and to love one another. Love goes so far,” Elizabeth added.

Mike said that they do it for the satisfaction of getting to help the community.

“It’s just the gratification of helping your neighbor and all the stations in the county, this station included,” said Mike. “It’s not just this neighborhood here. We run tanker assistance and rescue squad assistance when we can all over the county.”

This couple has raised two daughters in Tazewell County, and their family has grown to include three grandchildren all while working with the volunteer fire service for decades.

The Bennetts know they’re helping meet a need that’s saving their neighbors, in more ways than just putting out fires.

“If there’s not a department within a certain amount of mileage according to our ISO, which is our insurance rating, then our residents would be paying thousands of dollars on their home insurance,” said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth adds when fires do strike and property is lost, the Thompson Valley Fire Department does not just roll up their hoses and park their fire engines.

“This department is family,” said Elizabeth. “It’s family from one end to the other, and it radiates also into our community, that when we do have a fire, and there’s a total loss, especially if there’s children involved, the ladies in our department are just excellent. Our local businesses work together.”

“The joy and the feel that you get in your chest when you help somebody and you see, well, yeah, they might not have a home, but we got them out. Their life, they still have their life, and everything is there,” said Mike. “That joy just fills everybody’s hearts. You can see it on all the fire department’s people’s faces, and money can’t buy that. Money couldn’t even come close to that.”

That priceless payback is payment enough for this couple.

Continuing the dangerous work of fire protection as their way to give back to their community is what makes Mike and Elizabeth Bennett WVVA Hometown Heroes.

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