Fleming named Firefighter of Year

Ricky Fleming has been named 2024 Eufaula Fire Department Firefighter of the year.

“The selection was made based on his activities, positive attitude, personality, showing up to fires and bringing solace to victims,” said Chief Chad French.

For the past two years Fleming has been the chaplain for the department as well as a firefighter.

You might say when he isn’t rescuing sinners from burning in perdition, he is rescuing the helpless from burning in structure fires.

In addition to being chaplain, Fleming is pastor of the United Pentecostal Church in Eufaula and also works for the school district.

Fleming and his wife Angie (Bumgarner) have been married for 26 years. They lived away from Eufaula for a while but returned 13 years ago.

They have two children, Tiara Stowers, who works in the county court clerk’s office, and Macie Fleming, who is the county 911 coordinator.

Fleming was honored at the annual City of Eufaula Christmas Dinner on Dec. 12.

The event is a salute to city employees, including the police officers and firefighters, public works personnel and those at city hall.

The city caters a dinner for the employees and their families.

“We want to thank the City of Eufaula for putting this on for their employees every year,” French said.