RFD names man honorary firefighter

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Sitting inside his Russellville home, Tye Daily listens to his scanner intently as firefighters respond to the scene of an emergency call.
"Every time they go out, he says, 'Momma, I've got to go out," said Daily's mother, Penny McGee.
Daily was in a car that collided with a drunk driver when he was 10 months old. The accident left him a quadriplegic and requires the use of a ventilator.
Now 20, Daily listens to every word that comes across his scanner and he longs to rush out and assist firefighters in helping people.
"He has always loved firefighters," McGee said.
When the city of Russellville hosted an open house at the new fire station on Jackson Avenue in July, Daily got the opportunity to visit some of the men that he looks up to so much.
During a meeting with Russellville Fire Chief Joe Mansell, Daily made a lasting impression.
"I knew how much he looked up to the guys and what we do and he asked about being a volunteer firefighter," Mansell said. "So, I talked to the mayor and council about making him an honorary firefighter."
During the Russellville city council's regular meeting this week, Mansell presented Daily with a badge, helmet and a certificate naming him an honorary firefighter.
"He is so excited about it," McGee said. "He gets up every morning and puts his helmet on."
Mansell said he hopes to see Daily at the station from time to time.
"To have someone who thinks so much about the fire department is great," Mansell said. "We were tickled that he asked to be a firefighter and as far as we are concerned, he's a member of the department."