It's kept in the trunk of his car; the gear, and that recognizable helmet -- so new that it catches the light, worn enough, though, that the minister can rest assured. He's one of them.
Whether by an alarm in the middle of the night or a phone call, Sandy Webb often finds himself behind the wheel of his car in the quiet hours, driving through yawns and drowsiness to some scene -- often a house -- lit in flame.
Webb is the first Roanoke Fire-EMS chaplain the department has seen in years, and not by virtue of the hundreds of volunteer hours he logs or the heavy gear in his trunk. Webb found his way into the world of firefighting by riding with the men and women he serves, by showing up to scenes, and breaking bread in their station kitchens.
The lanky 29-year-old serves full time at St. John's Episcopal Church, his first job out of Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. Before that, he graduated with degrees in political science and economics from Hamilton College, a small liberal arts school in Clinton, N.Y.
Explaining how he found his way to Southwest Virginia means looking to his faith, Webb said.
"There's no way to talk about it except in religious terms," he said, relaxing into a smile. "It's far away from where I grew up, but God has called me here."
Interested in the firefighters he remembered from his youth, Webb's curiosity led to him to the city department in 2011, to ask about serving as a volunteer chaplain.
His interest was well received, in part because it coincided with an effort from within the department to restart its then-defunct chaplaincy initiative, said Deputy Chief Ralph Tartaglia.
In the past, the department chaplain would lead people in public prayer during ceremonies and special events. But in this go-around, Tartaglia said he hopes the program strikes at a more personal sense of service.
"To give an avenue to our people, because they have lots of issues," he said. "To give them someone to call."
Firefighting can be a messy business, Tartaglia said, one that often leaves in its wake a host of long-term effects -- physical and mental.
After decades of work as a firefighter himself, the deputy chief said, he understands the importance of having someone available to listen.
Equally paramount is the confidentiality between the firefighters and Webb, which is why Tartaglia spoke only in generalizations.
"And I'm not a pastor to these folks," Webb interjected. "I see myself as a supplement to that."
Tartaglia said he hopes the program will eventually include half a dozen chaplains. One other person has already inquired.
Last year, Webb said he logged at least 200 volunteer hours. He goes to most fire scenes, an effort to show his commitment to the department.
"I've hopped on the back of Engine 6 and spent the night," Webb said with a boyish smile.
Tartaglia gave a nervous chuckle and assured that the chaplain was, in fact, in the cab of the truck (not dangling from the rear) and strapped in by a safety belt.
"He's a man of faith, but I don't want him riding the back of the truck," Tartaglia said.
Communication between the chaplain and firefighters can come in the form of words of encouragement while on a break, or just by his being there, standing along the perimeter of the scene, watching.
"I'm just trying to be that reassuring presence in the midst of chaos," Webb said. "They made room for me in their family."
Brian Clingenpeel, who's served as the Roanoke County Fire Department chaplain since 2000, knows the feeling.
Through the years, Clingenpeel has built lasting ties to his firefighters. He's even officiated at some of their weddings.
"They have somebody they know they can turn to and talk to who's a confidential source," he said. "If I can show up and help comfort them or some of the families on scene ... they can then do what they're trained to do."
For Webb, who had never experienced anything similar to firefighting, working with the department sparked something inside, an almost childlike admiration along with an intense will to be there for them.
He delights at the opportunity to learn the firefighting lingo and forge new friendships, he said.
"I am in awe of them," Webb said. "They put themselves in harm's way and put their lives on the line every day -- and all for people they don't even know."
Copyright 2012 - The Roanoke Times, Va.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
