Copper Basin Fire Department (CBFD) Station 5 received a much needed cleaning and basic repairs last week, but without County Executive Robby Hatcher suffered a serious fall in the process.
Hatcher and county maintenance man Ben Brannam went to the station in Grassy Creek Tuesday, December 3, which CBFD representatives told county commissioners November 21 was out of service because of its condition.
The two loaded a 14-foot trailer with garbage and assorted waste to remove from the station. They also fixed the lights in the station, which involved correcting some electrical wiring that had been done incorrectly.
Grassy Creek resident David Farrow arrived with tools needed to fix a panel on the large, roll up door.
Hatcher and Brannam were also there to pick up the new door they found outside, covered in vines, the week before to take to Benton, clean, and then return to install.
With Farrow able to supply the necessary tools, they decided to repair the bottom of the roll up door. During the repair, a spring gave way and Hatcher fell from a ladder, landing on the concrete floor on his side. He was also pinned under the door for a brief period of time.
Hatcher said later he refused medical treatment, encouraged by the ambulance service crew that arrived, because he did not believe he “was hurt that bad.” He was going to attend the West Polk Fire Department dinner that night.
The next day, after visiting a doctor and learning the extent of his injuries, Hatcher expected to be out of work about a week.
Hatcher said Monday he and Brannan were going to measure the roof at the fire station Tuesday morning in hopes of replacing it the next week if the weather cooperates.