“He was born to protect people”; Best friend remembers fallen Kentucky firefighter

ASHLAND, KY (WOWK) — Summit-Ironville Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Robert Alexander “Alex” Stoehr, 31, passed away after being involved in a motorcycle accident Friday evening in Ashland, Kentucky.

13 News spoke with his close friend, SIVFD Lieutenant Lee Hanners, who described Alex as someone who was born to be a firefighter and a protector.

Alex joined the SIVFD in 2017, and also worked on the Search and Rescue Team for Boyd County Emergency Management. His full-time job was as a safety specialist, working in industrial safety.

“Alex’s life revolved around taking care of people. Whether it was through his work in public safety or industrial safety, or his role in search and rescue, Alex’s life was helping others,” Hanners said.

Alex’s father was a member of the SIVFD Board of Trustees for many years, so Alex grew up around the station. When Alex became a firefighter himself, he quickly became a mentor for less-experienced firefighters.

“He kind of grew up around it. He understands that the most important thing a more seasoned firefighter can do is teach a young person how to be a seasoned firefighter, and he excelled at that,” Hanners said.

Alex also served as a representative for the SIVFD, serving as the crews spokesperson. He communicated firefighter needs and concerns to the Board of Trustees.

Alex and Hanners were a part of the search and rescue team that was dispatched to assist the areas most impacted by the devastating flooding that eastern Kentucky suffered in 2022. Following the flood, Alex successfully lobbied for emergency training and proper equipment for his department to be better prepared if an event like that were to occur again.

“I think that was something that really drove him to train harder. He personally helped do some fundraising, sought grants and lobbied on behalf of the board to help us purchase equipment for swift water rescue. I think that is part of Alex’s legacy. He has helped us to be ready, he has pushed people to be ready. I hope that we’re in a better position today because of what he did,” Hanners said.

Alex and Hanners responded to countless emergency calls together, but aside from those rescues, what Hanners said he will miss the most is simply spending time with his friend after calls.

“Kind of our thing at Summit-Ironville is anytime the weather’s nice we like to have our bay doors open and hang out out front. I will cherish forever all the nights that we stayed up probably a little too late, just hanging out with all the guys and telling jokes,” Hanners said. “That was where he fit in, he could always laugh, he would listen, he could always share himself with you. For me, that’s what I’ll remember the most, just the times hanging out outside.”

Alex and his family made the decision to have him be an organ donor. Even after passing away, Alex will continue to save lives. His funeral is tentatively scheduled to take place this upcoming Thursday at Boyd County Middle School.

Anyone that would like to help commemorate his memory can make a donation to the Summit-Ironville Volunteer Fire Department in Alex’s name.

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