The Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church honored South Bend Fire Department Station Two with a local hero award Saturday, March 9, 2024, thanking them for their service to the community.
The firefighters at Station Two were among the first to respond to the LaPorte Avenue fire that claimed the lives of six children on January 21.
“Amidst our gratitude, our hearts ache for the tragic loss of six precious children,” said Claval Hunter, pastor of the Berean church, also known as the Berean Transformation Center. “No parent should ever have to endure the pain of losing a child, especially to such a devastating event.”
The award was given in honor of the station’s hardworking crew and their dedication to bettering the surrounding community.
The award ceremony took place inside the station garage, with firefighters noting that it was great to have community members come to them to show their appreciation with a brunch and award plaque.
"It's always nice to get the community to come into our home; 99% of the time, it's the other way around. We're usually entering their home and it's not good for a reason; somebody's having a bad day. But in this scenario, we get to welcome them here," said Battalion Chief Michael Szucs.
The event also gave members a chance to become more educated on the basics of fire safety and what essential needs should be met within a home. “We are committed to taking action,” said Hunter. “We aim to collaborate with first responders, fellow faith leaders, and organizations to fireproof homes in the city, help educate children in the community about how to avoid home fires and develop an evacuation plan.”
Church leaders and firefighters alike were particularly excited to share safety tips with the children in attendance so they could stay aware of their surroundings.
Berean member and volunteer firefighter David Sedlacek acknowledged the firefighters’ dedication. “Their heart is to serve and to make the community safe. Please appreciate them and say thank you to them,” he said.
In a follow-up interview, Hunter concluded that as Christians, it’s essential for our church to take these kinds of action because “we believe in the value of loving our neighbors as ourselves (see Luke 10:27).” He further stated, “Our faith calls us to actively demonstrate compassion and support for our community, especially in times of tragedy and need. By serving and honoring our first responders and working to prevent future tragedies like the house fire, we’re living out the teachings of Christ and embodying the principle of caring for others as He did (see Matthew 9:35-38; and 25:37-40). It’s not just about what we believe, but how we put those beliefs into action to make a positive impact in the lives of those around us.”
Reprinted from ABC57 news site, with Herald staff.
