MONETA, Va. – Just a week before Christmas, the Moneta Volunteer Fire Department faced a 911 call they never expected. It was their own chief who needed urgent medical attention. Jeremiah Calhoun, Moneta’s fire chief, suffered a stroke while on duty at the firehouse.
President Laird Wysor of the Moneta Volunteer Fire Department said, “We’re the helpers. Having to have somebody help us is usually a difficult day.”
Chief Calhoun was working with a vendor to set up equipment when he recognized something was wrong. He was having an occlusive stroke—a blood clot blocking blood flow to his brain. Time was critical.
His crew and local first responders acted quickly, rushing him to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Wysor praised the swift response, saying, “Having professionals available through our staff and the county staff to be able to recognize, quickly assess him and then transport him rapidly to Roanoke Memorial was definitely a very good blessing.”
During his weeklong hospital stay, Chief Calhoun was not alone. The community he has served for 34 years showed an outpouring of support.
In addition to leading the fire department, Calhoun helped WSLS 10 in 2016 with our Home For Good project, which is a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. We were there as he volunteered with his crew to help build the home.
While in the hospital, his crew visited and even brought Santa to lift his spirits.
“He’s had some minimal setbacks still from the stroke, but he is progressing well. He is very passionate about getting back to his best capable self,” Wysor said. “Having the community just rally around, their prayers, their thoughts, their good wishes have meant a lot to him as he’s gone through a lot. It also means a lot to us to just continue to recognize the community is there for us.”
A meal Train has been organized for Jeremiah. You can find more information here.
A Meal Train has been set up for Jeremiah, which you can donate to here.