Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Captain Jim McCammon, the late Retired Fire Inspector, was honored in Little Rock on March 29, 2025, at the Arkansas Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial. His name was one of two firefighters added to the wall this year. Over 100 fallen firefighters' names were read out loud, representing firefighters lost in the line of duty from previous years and from across the state.
Attending from the Harrison Fire Department, including retirees and active duty, were Donovan Armstrong, Caden Robertson, Bryan Wheeler, Trevor Lowery, Seth Estes, Isaac Drewry, Brock Fountain, Clint Nichols, Harry Cikanek, and John Neal. Also present but not pictured were Jim Creager, Craig Brightwell, and James Mason.
Captain McCammon’s wife, Mollie, said, “I am so proud of Jim’s service, his contributions, and his impact on Harrison during his fire service. The Little Rock memorial was so very special to his family, and I am thankful for the sweet day through the tears to honor him. He will always be remembered now by many across the state as his name is called each year at the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Jim would be humbled and smiling.”
The Keynote speaker at the memorial services, Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester, said, “Like many families, I’m incredibly thankful for firefighters. Often, they are the only thing that stands between a simple mistake and losing everything you care about. Arkansans value our memorials. They are more than a piece of bronze. We are proud of our heroes, deeply thankful for the ones God gives us, and appreciate our military and firefighters.”
McCammon’s sacrifice will also be remembered in May at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and in September at the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his name will be added.
Recently, Mollie was asked to speak at the IAFF Harrison Local 2995 Union of Fire Fighters meeting at Station Two.
“Jim was a charter member and founding president of this group, which began in 1985,” she said. “For Jim to be recognized as a ‘line of duty’ death really sets the stage for retired firefighters who may have to deal with the same health situation in the future.”
She encouraged the firefighters to make good notes about each call they respond to. “The run reports of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s were in old log books that lacked the detail needed for this claim process. Ensure you document all exposures at each incident. These reports could be referenced years down the road and used for various other purposes.”
Fire Inspector Captain McCammon had kept newspaper clippings for years, which showed pictures highlighting how different protective gear was in the past.
“There was a lot we didn’t know about the relationship between cancer and firefighters back then,” she said. “Thankfully, protective gear and knowledge are more plentiful now, and hopefully, your family will never have to deal with cancer or this process.”
Seasoned firefighters shared details about remembering the day when a dirty helmet or uniform was a badge of honor. Now, clean gear is the standard.
Fire Chief Marc Lowery said, “The Harrison Fire Department's administration takes cancer mitigation very seriously, and I have implemented policies and procedures to help minimize exposure to toxic smoke and gases at a fire scene and after the fire is out, back at the station, and in the apparatus.”
She closed her talk by telling the firefighters, “If Jim were here, he would say, ‘Have cancer insurance.’ Also, listen to your body. Have a will prepared in advance. The American Cancer Society has a free one on its website. Register with the National Firefighters Registary for Cancer if diagnosed with cancer so all cancer in the fire service can be tracked. A scholarship has been established at the Harrison High School in Jim’s memory and one of the considering factors is if the senior is related to a firefighter. So when your kids are seniors, tell them to apply.”
Mollie also offered to help any of their families if they have cancer impact their lives.
Retired Chief John Neal thanked Mollie for reminding them to be diligent about the details to keep each firefighter safe. As he prepared to present her with the IAFF Martin E. Pierce Commemorative Medal in Jim’s honor, the “tones” went off. Firefighters jumped up immediately and sprang into action, suiting up in protective gear and being in their place as each truck pulled out of the station.
It was a perfect ending to a meeting and an excellent reminder for those of us watching to pray for their safety and realize they do this dangerous job daily to keep our community safe.
Visit https://youtu.be/GzAv57EjWGM to see the video of the firefighter’s exit.