Battalion Chief Chris Eddy of Greene County Fire and Rescue was honored by area firefighters, local government officials, and many friends and admirers at a ceremony held at Greene County’s Fire Department headquarters on the anniversary of his 2024 death.
A groundbreaking ceremony was also held for the “Reddy Drill Yard and Training Facility” that will be under construction soon.
Fire Chief Rodney Wiggins said he had to start from scratch when developing plans for the training facility and sent out sketches done in pencil to construction companies.
“I can only imagine a company seeing some drawings sent by a fire chief, but several responded, and one stood out,” Wiggins said, identifying Force Fire out of Ohio as the firm chosen to build the facility.
Wiggins said the plan is for a facility that is “simple, functional, and built by firefighters for firefighters.”
Wiggins fought back tears as he described the process from conception to the finished plan.
“We had the full support of the county because they believe in the fire service,” Wiggins said. “I think you see that. The journey’s been a whirlwind. Trying to move this massive project forward has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever been a part of.
“This isn’t just a structure; it’s a legacy. It will carry the name that reminds us every single day why we do the job, the Reddy Drill Yard, in honor of Battalion Chief Chris Eddy. When it is completed next August, it will stand as a symbol of what Chris believed in: preparation and professionalism. If everything goes as planned, we will return here one year from today with the burn building in place, and at the second annual memorial celebration, we’ll unveil the Chris Eddy Memorial and open the doors to the Reddy Drill Yard.
“If we stick together, support each other, and truly love each other, Greene County Fire and Rescue will continue to be the strongest family there is.”
Eddy was killed Sept.4, 2024, in an explosion after he responded to a tractor-trailer fire on Hwy 15 near Lickskillet Road.
A post on the Greene County Fire and Rescue Facebook page said, “The ceremony was heartfelt, with a moment of silence and the lowering of the flag to half-staff in his honor. We were also proud to break ground on our new training facility. There’s no better tribute, as training was something Chris was deeply passionate about. We miss him every single day, but we know he’s looking down with a big smile, reminding us all: ‘Just do it right.’ A special thank you to our past and present county managers and commissioners for making this training facility possible. We also want to thank our community and neighboring departments for standing with us today in honoring Chief Eddy’s legacy.”
Eddy was a Morgan County resident who lived in Buckhead and volunteered as a firefighter at Morgan County’s Station 4 in Buckhead.
Tributes have poured in on social media since Eddy’s tragic passing.
Meghan Berry of Greensboro said that “even though I never had the privilege of meeting Battalion Chief Chris Eddy, his legacy of honor, courage, and service continues to live on — shaping the fire department and leaving a lasting impact on our community.”
Speakers for the ceremony included retired County Manager Byron Lombard (who pushed for the new training facility as one of his last official acts), new County Manager David Crowley, Chief Rodney Wiggins, Battalion Chief Daniel Pritchett, and Commission Chairman Gary Usry.
Travis Miller performed “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes, and Chris Mobley offered a vocal tribute with the song “Scars in Heaven on the Hands That Hold You Now.”
Firefighter Blake Stinnett, himself injured in an accident while driving a fire truck on New Year’s Eve 2024, gave a prayer and remembrance, and Bruce Lovin offered the closing prayer.