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Oral histories audio and transcripts are either in the public domain or the copyright interests have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
[item description], [box #, folder #], Virginia Wildland Firefighters Oral Histories, 2006, SdArch 0032, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University.
In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 0029
Audiocassettes were converted to mp3 and wav files by Kirsten Mlodynia of Carrier Library Innovation Services, in July 2018.
Carol DeHart is a freelance writer and independent scholar from Fulks Run, Virginia. Carol DeHart wasa Fire Instructor and Emergency Medical Technician, and is a charter (1987) member of the Bergton Volunteer Fire Department, and former squad boss and fire line EMT with the US Forest Service. Between 2001-2006, she conducted three grants from James Madison University Library to record and transcribe nine oral history interviews, including the Fading Rural Lifeways in the Bergton/Criders area of Rockingham County Oral History Project (SdArch 26) and the John Stewart Oral History (SdArch 25). In 2010, she completed an interview with Broadway Firefighter (SdArch 39).
Gerald Fawley was the first USFS employee to staff the High Knob Fire Tower on Shenandoah Mountain. He currently resides in Parnassus, Virginia. Wade Rogers is a retired USFS Fire Manager Officer from Spring Creek, Virginia. John Coleman is a retired USFS District Ranger from Edinburg, Virginia. Kenny May is a retired USFS Timer Specialist and Fire Fighter from Bergton, Vriginia. Terry Slater, who assisted DeHart in the interview with Fawley, is a USFS Wildlife Biologist and Incident Commander from Bridgewater, Virginia.
The interviews focus on wildland fire fighting and the US Forest Service experiences from 1940 through 2005. Topics addressed in the interviews include memories of fire towers, early communications, tools, clothing, transportation, family life, fire-fighting techniques and stories.
The interviews are arranged chronologically, by the date of the interview.
This interview records the reflections of Wake Kermit Rogers, his life and work with the U.S. Forest Service as a Fire Tower Lookout man, Timber Technician and Fire Management Officer from 1962-1994. Transcription includes text of Psalm 121 with signature by interviewee.
Audio and transcript are open for research.
Copyright interests have been transferred to JMU Libraries.
This interview records the reflections of Gerald E. Fawley, his life and work staffing the fire towers. Transcription includes appendix with the following contents: A lookout tower man reminisces; Sibley stove and tent notes; Osborne fire finder; Remembrances; 1930's photographs; High Knob Fire Tower notes; 2006 photographs.
Audio and transcript are open for research.
Copyright interests have been transferred to JMU Libraries.
This interview records the reflections of Kenny May and John Coleman, talking about their U.S. Forest Service and fire fighting experiences. Within introduction of transcript, "John William Coleman, [retired District Ranger, Lee Ranger District, Type II Incident Commander, 1957-1998] and Kenneth Edward May [Timber Sale Administrator, 1965-2006]". Transcription includes appendix with the following contents: Kenny May, photos, article and notes, "Notice to Loggers," Fire Tower Log; John Coleman Award article, poster in Lee District work center, reprint newspaper photo, two poems and "Diary of a Fire"; Article: "The Fire Warden System on the Shenandoah" by Helen Gordon, 1929.
Audio and transcript are open for research.
Copyright interests have been transferred to JMU Libraries.