| HCG Correspondent
Jody Hadwin
Estill Fire Rescue Captain/Training Officer
Jody Hadwin, 51, was nominated as our Front Line Hero for this week. Hadwin has served the public with Estill’s Fire Department for 29 years now, while being involved in the community in various other positions. Hadwin works at Wade Hampton High School, where he teaches the firefighting class there, in conjunction with being the assistant principal.
“I just enjoy being there for the community. I’ve also served on Town Council since 2019,” Hadwin added.
When he’s not serving the community, he enjoys playing golf, spending time with family and friends, and taking trips to the Smoky Mountains, where he enjoys fly fishing.
“I enjoy spending time with my work family. They’re my adopted family, I should say. I also enjoy spending time helping and caring for young people,” Hadwin added.
Hadwin summarizes his experience as a Front Line Worker as being a huge challenge. He and coworkers constantly have to worry about risks along with having to be flexible and adapt.
“The things we normally do, we can’t. Rendering the assistance, the care that we are trained to do for the community and surrounding communities, we really can’t do. That’s because we have to implement safety procedures and guidelines now to be able to do our job,” Hadwin said.
The pandemic has caused him and his coworkers to follow certain safety measures, but the rules only cover and protect them so much due to their type of job.
“In the fire service, if you’re removing someone from a vehicle, for example, all we have on us is our bunker gear and not necessarily a mask. That wasn’t a thing they thought the gear will need. Since we’re in the middle of a respiratory pandemic, you may be in close proximity with someone. And a mask is something that wasn’t designed for the job. It has posted some unique challenges for us all,” Hadwin said.
When asked how he’s coping mentally and emotionally during this time, Hadwin stated that his past experiences with serving the public have prepared him to deal with not all, but some of downside of the pandemic.
“It just allowed me to deal with it emotionally and mentally. I know times weren’t always like this, and that our skills and training is what is keeping my coworkers afloat. We just have to accept the fact that no matter how hard we try; we won’t be able to save some people. We can’t do certain things for our safety and everyone else’s. It’s tough,” Hadwin said.
Despite the challenges, Hadwin and his coworkers try to find unique and creative ways that will allow them to do their job safely and render care to others. Having great and understanding colleagues also plays a huge part for Hadwin.
“It’s awesome because they can be that shoulder you need when you’re at a breaking point and you’re wondering if you’ve done enough to help someone or what you could’ve done differently. Having a great team is so important in this field of work. My team and I are like real brothers and sisters. We can talk about each other, but as soon as someone outside of our group talks about one of us, it’s like fighting words.We have been there for each other before the pandemic, but now this time has drawn us closer. If you’re having a bad day, just a simple, ‘Hey everything’s going to be ok, I’m here for you!’ helps,” Hadwin said.
Hadwin’s advice for fellow Front Line workers is to hang in there.
“This will pass. It won’t always be like this. Times will get better, and we’re going to be better because of it. As professionals, we’re going to make mistakes and feel under pressure during this time. But we’re going to be okay. As time goes by, our training will get better, our skill will get better, and we’ll be better servants to the public. The training and experiences we’re going through now, will be used to help the future generations,” Hadwin said.
“Honestly, we live in a great community. People in Hampton County, when it counts, they step up. Our differences are put aside. When one side of the county hurts, the whole county hurts. And when one side of the county rejoices, we all rejoice. I give God all the credit for the strength he has given me to make it through this time. And I’m really thankful for the people I work with and for. I take no credit,” Hadwin said.
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