May 22--When firefighter Dave Davis lost his mother and brother-in-law in the Granbury tornadoes, 10 of his fellow firefighters drove nearly five hours to help as other firefighters covered their shifts.
Davis' mother, brother-in-law and sister were eating dinner when the home they were inside was thrown hundreds of yards last Wednesday. His sister was hospitalized but expected to survive.
A CBS Evening News crew captured the firefighters sifting through the debris.
"Those guys came from five hours away," Eddie Martin, Davis' nephew, told the crew. "As soon as they heard, they came."
They took personal leave to do it, said Odessa Fire Chief Roger Boyd. Davis has been with Odessa Fire and Rescue since 1990.
"I think for those guys to have been there for Dave the first time he went back to his mom's helped him through a real difficult time in dealing with that loss and devastation," Boyd said. "I think it's a real testament to the men and women who work here."
People who wish to help can donate to the Dave Davis Family Fund at the Odessa Employees' Credit Union, 1006 E. Seventh St.
Follow Odessa American on twitter @OdessaAmerican, like us on Facebook at Odessa American or call 432-333-7714 for the main newsroom line.
Copyright 2013 - Odessa American, Texas
