Volunteer Spotlight: Lenora Dickens

Name: Lenora Dickens
Title: EMR Secretary/Treasurer
Department: Lauderdale Volunteer Fire & Rescue
Location: Lauderdale, MS

Why are you an NVFC member?
Meeting the NVFC at the Mississippi Firefighter’s Association (MFFA) Summer Conference and seeing online via Facebook all the good the NVFC is doing around the globe made a great impression on me. Additionally, the free educational online webinars and Zooms. Being in rural Mississippi, online training is a huge asset. Networking is also a biggie. We may be rural – on U.S. Route 45, a major thoroughfare, you’d never know we exist in the woods about a mile away – but make no doubt that when the tones drop, we come mighty in hearts to serve our community members and total strangers 365 days a year, 24/7, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is your occupation?
Retired navy contractor

Why are you a fire service volunteer?
Wow, why not? I’ve been in stewardship since I was a Brownie and Girl Scout. I went back to school late in life, graduating as a certified nurse assistant. However, I ended up with five different family members developing cancer, so needless to say, my certification went by the wayside. I had always seen our local fire department running calls and finally decided to see if they could use an older lady for medical calls. They responded, “Umm, ma’am, yes we can.” The rest is history. Celebrating 10 years of consecutive service now with the Lauderdale Volunteer Fire & Rescue, and I’m grateful for each mission I’m sent to answer. After all, why would I sit on the couch, just paying taxes not doing anything? Grateful!

What year did you join the fire or emergency services?
2012

What are your memorable moments as a firefighter or EMS provider?
EMS… wow again. My spirituality has grown in ways I never would’ve imagined. With all sincerity, the good Lord above has sent us to be a part of many life-changing events for patients and their families. This is not to be taken lightly. When there is darkness, I ask to be a light for their needs.

What contributions have you (and your department) made in your community?
Within the last couple of years we provided hurricane relief in Louisiana twice, and most recently tornado relief for Selma, Alabama. We host Easter and Fall Harvest for our local community families, which is a great way for our community and us to have some enjoyable downtime together. Some of us also attend a summer conference with the MFFA, which has opened us up to a network family who, when they say, “I’m here,” they truly mean it. The best is training together. Then after training, a couple of us older ladies prepare a meal for our firefighter family to break bread with one another in the name of love.

Interested in serving your community? Find volunteer fire service opportunities at www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org.