Loud pipes and barbeque for Randy Jones

ELIZABETHTOWN -In the early hours of Nov. 16, firefighters who were just waking up for a long shift were shocked to see fellow comrade in arms and volunteer firefighter, Randy Jones standing at the bay doors of the Elizabethtown Fire Department in shock from just walking away from a fire that left him with 60% of his upper body smoldering with third-degree burns.

“It happened right over there behind the fire station,” James Freeman said. “That little auto service station (Heustess Auto Care Center). It was actually behind it. 911 was called, dispatch was alerted and EMS and 55 (The fire station). We keep a crew here 24 hours and as soon as them guys got out of the bunk and got dressed, Randy was standing right there at the front door. He had run from there all the way across to here.”

He had rolled and put the fire out but knew immediately that he needed help and went to the place where he was always suiting up to help others attacked by fire.

“The guys here started care and then EMS arrived and started their care and the helicopter was notified,” Freeman said.

From initial indications, it was clear that Jones would need a critical care burn unit and so he was rushed to the Cape Fear Valley Bladen County Hospital’s helipad where he was immediately transported to the North Carolina Jacee Burn Center at UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill.

“He’s been there ever since,” Freeman said. “It looks like he may be able to be released in May and live a relatively normal life, but those dates are too far out to predict with certainty. It will be close to normal, and I don’t believe this will slow him down one bit.”

According to Freeman, he is in a good state of mind and is doing well, all things considered. He was on his way to certification to be a full-time firefighter, Freeman said, but all of that has been put on hold.

The benefit to help with some of the medical costs came together when the president of Blue Shepherd Motorcycle Riding Club called Fire Chief Hollis Freeman and explained what they do to help out fallen and injured comrades.

Within a month of planning, the plan came together, fliers went up and the crowd of well over 100 people were seen coming to the grounds of the Elizabethtown Fire Department where grills had been set up outside, a registration tent was set up, huge pots of beans and potatoes were cooking inside the fire department garage and everyone was hoping that all fires would take a holiday.

After all. This one was for Randy.

“When it comes to our brothers, we can put something together really quick,” Freeman said. “Because we have a good family which is the fire department. Everybody came together and we did what we had to do. When Randy got hurt, it was really emotional for the guys who were here.”

Chief Freeman said that basically, the fire was an accident.

“He was with a group of friends,” Freeman said. “Something happened and his clothes actually caught on fire. He received like 60% of his body that was burned. Basically, his whole torso front and back with third-degree burns. He has been in the hospital ever since November and he may be getting out at the end of May.”

Freeman was one of the lead organizers for the benefit and you could see him nonstop all day making sure things went off without a hitch.

“The Blue Shepherds, which is an organization which is hosting the actual motorcycle run; they approached the fire department a few months ago,” Freeman said. “That was along with Garrick Smith who wanted to hold a benefit for Randy. He used to help out all kinds of organizations and events and they just wanted to pay him back. He’s been a member here for quite a while and they asked us to host the cooking part and it’s a good partnership.”

The Blue Shepherds LERC is a Law Enforcement Riding Club that is dedicated to the support of the brothers in blue and the community. According to their mission statement, the sole purpose of their group is to give back to the community by providing benefit rides, fundraisers or promoting other events.

According to the premise that they are helping others in need one ride at a time, they say that their strength relies on the trinity of loyalty, bravery and honor as it is exhibited by the membership.

Travis Pope is the public information director for the Blue Shepherds and was on hand to make sure the motorcycle run portion of the benefit ran smoothly. Other than being a quite chilly morning, it did not deter the riders who were decked out in full leathers, some in coats and hats and even some scarves and gloves.

“We started this organization in 2019,” Pope said. “It came out of law enforcement. There were five of us who were with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office. One of our first rides was for one of our riders who had a son with a heart defect. We raised like $10K and that kind of got us started. Ever since then, it’s kinda what we do.”

The goal, according to Pope is to help more people like Randy Jones who was completely blindsided by the accident.

“We do typically, about four-six benefits a year,” Pope said. “Most of them are in Sampson County, but at times we also venture out of county. Wayne Ramsey did a lot of this planning and we like to have about two months. A lot of what we decided last year was that we kind of stepped away from doing the food stuff because all together, it’s so much. The fire department doing the food helps us out a lot.”

Pope said that traditionally, the group will do a 90-minute ride that will run about 80 miles. In the cold weather yesterday, it was a “bundle-me-up” ride for sure.

In his regular job, Pope is the lead detective in Sampson County.

There were over 60 motorcycles in the run Saturday not counting the three and four wheelers. At press time, over $8500 was raised but according to Pope, that total could rise to around $9K as the final tally comes forth.

One mishap did occur with one of the Blue Shepherds riders. His name is being withheld at this time at the request of his family.

At about the 20 minute mark into the run, he hit a left curve a bit lean according to Pope and went down an embankment. He broke his collarbone, ribs and had blood into his pelvis. They have transported him to the UNC Health Center ICU. The family and the Blue Shepherds LERC ask that you keep him in prayer for a speedy recovery.