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Winchester — Firefighters must consider safety at all times — for others and themselves.
The nature of their work requires them to be focused on the tasks at hand and free of distractions.
Two local lawyers want to make sure that personal legal matters are not a cause of distraction for firefighters — by offering free counsel.
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Local lawyer Mary Daniel (right) of the Daniel Group observes as Lisa Beauchamp signs her will. Paralegals Kathie Williams (background at left) and Niki Tresidder witness the signing.
(Photo by Ginger Perry) |
The program is available to members of the volunteer fire and rescue companies in Frederick County, as well as the county's professional firefighters.
Lawyers Mary Daniel and Charles Dalebout have helped firefighters to establish wills and powers of attorney, and other legal documents that would aid their families.
Granville and Helen Ruckman work with the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, helping with fundraising through a variety of activities.
The couple attended a recent informational meeting at the company about the legal services program and decided get their legal affairs in order.
"We just thought it was time," said Helen Ruckman.
Lisa Beauchamp, a member of the company's ladies' auxiliary, works in all phases of the unit's activities (except fighting fires).
She said the opportunity to complete some legal matters was an important benefit to her and her family: "It gives me the peace of mind that my daughters won't have to deal with it."
Dalebout said he and Daniel wanted to provide the service to firefighters because they put themselves in harm's way.
"That's the prime reason we are doing this," he said. "They're doing a difficult job, and we thought this was something we could do."
Daniel said the firefighters give their time and jeopardize their safety to serve the community. The opportunity to assist the firefighters made the Willing Service Program a perfect fit, she said.
"We wanted to be able to do something for them," Daniel said.
"It's about community giving," agreed Dalebout. "You do for the community what you can. The [local] government doesn't provide this service."
"The way it was presented to us, many [firefighters] are surprised it is not automatically taken care of like it is for the military," Beauchamp said.
— Contact Drew Houff at
dhouff@winchesterstar.com |
