Special memorial planned for Chelsea firefighter Phillip Bennett

Firefighter Phillip Bennett passed away Feb. 9 after a long illness. Bennett, 55, worked with both the Chelsea and Pleasant Grove fire departments and was in the profession for 30 years.

"He served our community in an excellent manner and left a lot of our staff as better people from working with him," Wayne Shirley, Chelsea fire chief, wrote in an email. "I am personally proud to have called him my coworker and friend."

The Chelsea Fire Department and Pleasant Grove Fire and Rescue is coordinating a "fire service" funeral in Bennett's honor. This service includes the ringing of the bell. In history, a ringing fire bell indicated a fire and after the fire was over; the station rang the bell three times to indicate the task was done. Now, the bell is rung three times to symbolize the end of a firefighter's duties.

There will also be a last call over the radio for Bennett.

"He answered a lot of calls in his day," said Lt. Don Williamson with Chelsea Fire and Rescue. "This will be his last call, made in his honor."

Since Bennett worked at Station 32 and on Engine 32, the apparatus will carry him the approximate 50 miles from Ridout's Valley Chapel to Union Springs Baptist Church in Chilton County for his burial.

"Bennett will be escorted by two firemen the whole way," Williamson said. "We would do it even if it was 100 miles."

A lifesaver helicopter will also do a treetop flyover above Bennett's gravesite.

Bennett's viewing will take place Feb. 13 from 4:30-7 p.m., and the funeral will be 11 a.m. on Feb. 14 at Ridout's Valley Chapel at 1800 Oxmoor Road.