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Alabama governor lowers flags to honor fallen Springville FF-paramedic Jared Echols

The governor said the flags will remain lowered until sunset on Friday, June 21

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“Let us remember the life and service of Firefighter Echols, who also served as a paramedic in the community,’’ Ivey said in her proclamation. “We offer our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his two young daughters, his wife and the entire city of Springville.”

Photo/ U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class William Blankenship

Carol Robinson
Alabama Media Group, Birmingham

SPRINGVILLE, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has ordered flags to fly at half-staff following the death of Springville firefighter Jared Echols, who died earlier this week during training.

The governor said the flags will remain lowered until sunset on Friday, June 21.

“Let us remember the life and service of Firefighter Echols, who also served as a paramedic in the community,’’ Ivey said in her proclamation. “We offer our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his two young daughters, his wife and the entire city of Springville.”

Echols, 35, died Monday. He was a student at the Alabama Fire College’s Regional Training Center in Anniston Monday, starting his second week of the program. It was about 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and he was about 15 to 20 minutes into Monday’s search and rescue training on the tower when he began to feel ill and went to the rehab station to get medical attention and was rendered assistance by the Anniston Fire Department.

He later was pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet announced the cause of death, but Springville Fire Chief Richard Harvey said it was a medical incident, not an accident or injury.

Fallen firefighter remembered for ‘infectious smile, servant’s heart’

Springville Fire Chief Richard Harvey on Tuesday identified fallen firefighter as Jared Wayne Echols, a 35-year-old husband and father of two young daughters who joined the department in January.

A private family funeral will be held Friday afternoon. There will be no public visitation. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jared’s memory to The Church at Bradford Road, P.O. Box 229, Springville, Alabama 35146; or to the Springville Fire Department P.O. Box 919, Springville, Alabama 35146.

Immediately following the family’s services, a processional of fire and emergency apparatus will depart the Springville High School, located at 8411 US Hwy 11, Springville, Alabama 35146. The processional will travel through downtown Springville and continue to Springville Fire Station #1.

A Fire Department Memorial will follow at Station #1 to be culminated with a wreath laying in Jared’s honor.

Departments and agencies wishing to provide apparatus for the processional will assemble at Springville High School at 1:30pm. Any questions concerning the processional should be directed to Fire Lt. Graham Darnell 205-329-8958.

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©2019 Alabama Media Group, Birmingham

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