By Lauren Gregory
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Copyright 2007 Chattanooga Publishing Company
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Though television personality Ty Pennington was nowhere in sight, Shannon Mejia felt like she could have been watching an episode of his show unfold at her parents’ Lakesite home on Monday.
“It’s like ‘Extreme Makeover’ on TV,” said Mrs. Mejia, tears welling in her eyes as she watched a dozen sworn and retired firefighters gathering supplies and taking measurements for the wheelchair ramp they were about to build for her father.
Ms. Mejia’s father, Michael Phillips, had served 26 years with the Chattanooga Fire Department before retiring in 2000. He had a second, parallel career as a paramedic and Emergency Medical Services supervisor with Memorial Hospital, working there 18 years before leaving in 2006. But in June, the 58-year-old had to start taking help rather than giving it, as a stroke rendered his left side paralyzed.
When Mr. Phillips’ former co-workers heard about his condition, they decided to help, said Lt. Kelly Simmons, noting that funds came from the Fraternal Order of Firefighters as well as the local chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association Local 820.
“We’re a brotherhood organization, and anytime one of our guys gets in a bad way or a bad situation, we try to reach down and help them out,” Lt. Simmons said. “Our main motto is, ‘Don’t leave anybody behind.’”
The group purchased $3,000 to $4,000 in materials and gathered about 30 people to help build a ramp from Mr. Phillips’ driveway to his house, widen several doorways and remodel his bathrooms. The work began Monday morning and should be complete in the next few days, according to Lt. Simmons.
Mr. Phillips is expected to return home from Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation in coming weeks, according to family members.
“We’re just so thankful for them all and so appreciative,” said Mr. Phillips’ other daughter, Sheri Rominger. “We’re not sure (our father) really realizes what needs to be done and what’s going on, but once he gets home and sees, he’ll understand what came together. ... I don’t think we could have done it without the firemen.”
Those who volunteered their free time to work on the project Monday said they did not think twice about helping out.
“We all pitch in to help out, because tomorrow could be my day in the barrel,” Chattanooga Fire Department Capt. Jimmy Spurling said. “If I needed these guys, I know they’d be there for me.”