By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
The little girl’s name was Charlie. Firefighters saved her grandfather and her big sister and her twin in the burning house. But they couldn’t find Charlie. And she died from smoke inhalation.
Firefighters searching the house walked by her at least three times, but she had gotten in a very small space – only inches wide beside the bed – and they couldn’t see her. Later, they felt if they’d only had a thermal imaging camera, they could have found Charlie before it was too late. The camera could have made the difference between life and death – literally.
Charlie’s death occurred in Alder Springs, Marshall County, Alabama, in July 2022. When Charlie was found, a firefighter placed her in Fire Chief James Edwards’ arms. Needless to say, the Chief was profoundly affected.
Last Sunday morning, November 17, Chief Edwards and his wife were at First Pentecostal Church of McCullough. He shared his touching testimony, but he was also there to present a thermal imaging camera to the McCullough Volunteer Fire Department. And he talked about his mission – Project Charlie.
In July 2023, the Lord laid it on Chief Edwards’ heart to provide cameras to fire departments. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he decided to get a thermal imaging camera into every volunteer and career department in Marshall County. That mission has since grown to include the entire state.
Chief Edwards and McCullough Assistant Fire Chief Mary Sells were at a meeting together earlier this year, and she mentioned that her department didn’t have a thermal imaging camera – but now they do.
Chief Edwards presented the camera to McCullough VFD President John Sells, Chief Eddie Kirby, Assistant Chief Mary Sells, and firefighter Keaton Gross.
The church and Pastor Alton Lister took the opportunity to invite first responders from the area to the morning service to recognize and honor them.
In a benevolent gesture, on behalf of the congregation, Pastor Lister presented a check to Chief Edwards for the cost of the camera – paying it forward for the next fire department in need of a camera. He also presented a check for $1,000 to the McCullough Volunteer Fire Department.