News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Fentress County Commissioners surprised EMA Director James Bilbrey at Monday night’s commission meeting.
The county’s proclamation recognized Bilbrey’s years of service to the community, acting as the first full-time EMA Director since 2009. Fire Chief Larry Cooper:
“You can’t ask for a better person,” Cooper said. “If you ever ask him to do something for someone, there’s never a ‘no’ answer. He’s been in emergency services for many, many years. You just can’t ask for a better person and he’s dedicated to everything that the does, and you never hear an ill word out of his mouth. He’s just a phenomenal person.”
In addition to Bilbrey’s participation in Fentress County’s emergency services, Cooper said that he also stepped up to help the senior center during the pandemic. Cooper said that Bilbrey would take it upon himself to go help deliver meals to the elderly who couldn’t leave their homes.
Cooper said that he thinks it’s important to honor someone while they’re still around. He said that it’s one thing to honor someone’s legacy after they’ve passed away, but it’s another for the person to be alive to hear what they mean to others.
