Fire Departments Give Birthday Parade To Local Boy

Five year-old Heath Sanders smiles as a fire truck birthday parade approaches him and his family.

Darren Doyle, story, photos, and video:
A birthday party to a five year-old can be a pretty big deal, so it's even a bigger deal if it gets canceled. That's what happened to young Heath Sanders, who couldn't have a party due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. And while he couldn't have a traditional party, he still had plenty of smiles Wednesday evening thanks to both the Wingfield and Chalybeate Fire Departments, who offered him a birthday party parade, filled with lights, sirens, and even a live P.A. version of "Happy Birthday."

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​Brandon Graham of the Wingfield VFD, said it's just a way to bring positivity to the community in a time of trouble.

"It's good for us and people in the community," he said. 

Graham led the parade that left the Wingfield firehouse and drove by Heath's relatives' house on Wingfield Church Road, where Heath and members of his family were waiting by the end of their driveway. As the parade approached Heath, the trucks stopped as Graham picked up the mic on the truck's P.A. system and sang "Happy Birthday" to a little boy that was jumping up and down with excitement.

Wingfield and Chalybeate Fire Department trucks travel down Wingfield Church Rd. for a birthday party parade for 5yr-old Heath Sanders.

"We saw where some other fire departments were doing this in other states," said Chalybeate Fire Chief Daniel Johnson. "All our county fire departments are on board with doing it here in Edmonson County. If you have a little boy or girl that would like their own birthday parade, just contact your local fire department and we'll do our best to set it up."

We talked to Heath afterwards and asked him what he thought about his very own parade.

"I thought it was cool," he said. "I didn't get to have a party yesterday," which was Tuesday, his actual birthday. "Yeah, I liked it."

His mom, Heather Lamastus, is a teacher at South Edmonson Elementary. She was grateful for the gesture and effort of the fire departments. 

"He was really excited," she said.

Anyone that would like to request a birthday party parade can contact local fire departments at the following numbers:
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​                Brownsville Fire Department                      Chief Jerry Meredith                         270-597-3814 (City Hall)
                Bear Creek Fire Department                        Chief J.T. Carol                                   270-535-5128
                Wingfield Fire Department                          Chief Brandon Graham                    270-246-2514
                Chalybeate Fire Department                       Chief Daniel Johnson                        270-597-7350
                Kyrock Fire Department                                Chief Jeff Clubb                                 270-246-3374
                Lincoln Fire Department                               Chief Steve Sanders                        270-246-6012
                Rocky Hill Fire Department                          Chief Tim Compton                         270-799-6258