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A Final Farewell: Last Call Sounds For Veteran Firefighter Joe Huff
February 20, 2012
Escambia Fire Rescue bid a final farewell Sunday to one of their own, Beulah Station Deputy Chief Joe Huff, 64.
Huff passed away last Wednesday after a short battle with cancer. He devoted nearly 50 years of life to volunteer fire service in Escambia County.
Huff’s flag draped coffin was carried open-air on the back of an antique fire truck from his funeral service at Marcus Point Baptist Church to a cemetery on Nine Mile Road. The procession included dozens of fire rescue vehicles from across the area.
His remains entered the cemetery beneath the crossed ladders of two aerial trucks, and his helmet was carried by hand. And Escambia Fire Rescue dispatchers made one final call over the county’s fire radio system.
“Last call for Joe Huff,” the emergency dispatcher called.
There was no response. Just silence.
“There is no response from Joe Huff,” the dispatcher said, her voice resounding across the handheld radios at the service.
The radio silence was broken again, this time by tones used alert firefighters to important information, followed by:
“On behalf of the community and the Beulah Fire Department it is with deep sorrow and sadness to notify you that after 47 years of service, bravery, and heroism, that Joe Huff has completed his last call and has returned home safely to eternity for his final call to watch over his family, friends and fellow firefighters. He will always be in our hearts forever. Escambia Rescue clear.”
Huff’s service to Escambia Fire Rescue included 1967 to 1968 at the Bellview Volunteer Fire Department, 1969 to 1991 at the Ensley Volunteer Fire Department, and 1991 until his death last week at the Beulah Volunteer Fire Department/Escambia County Fire Rescue Station 2 where he currently served as assistant chief.
Huff spent countless hours working on the department’s Beulah Sausage Festival, later renamed Beulahfest. He was a retired security officer with International Paper and worked the pit entrance gate for many years at Five Flags Speedway.
A fund to assist with funeral expenses has been established at Harvester’s Federal Credit Union in Cantonment. Donations should be made to the “Joe Huff Fund”.
For more photos from the services, click here.
Joe Huff is survived by his wife, Charlotte, daughters Vivian Huff , Wendy Wedgwood and Tammy Hester and numerous other family members.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Comments
10 Responses to “A Final Farewell: Last Call Sounds For Veteran Firefighter Joe Huff”
I worked with Joe for seven years back in the 90’s when I was in private security. He always had a good sense of humor. He will be missed by many.
I have many wonderful memories of Joe and I doing so many things together.. He was a great special friend and firefighter buddy. We’d always laugh alot together and he always told me to give my mom a neck hug which she always greatly received!!! He will also be greatly missed by his family and friends. I am sorry I didn’t make it down for the funeral. he is resting now with his fellow officers too which is wonderful! alot of prayers to Charlotte and the rest of Joe’s family. I thank the ones that put the pictures of the funeral on facebook so I could see them..
Many Thanks to the trumpet salute! Thanks also to fellow workers who gave their time to go into work for coverage during the funeral. A lot of behind the scene work to make it all happen.
“AWSOM” service steve. For the 14 years I knew Joe I found him to be a humble person that would never call attention to him self. You gave him the respect he would never ask for but was well deserved. I bet when you sleep you will feel a slight punch in your right shoulder saying “thank you”
Thank you, family and friends for your prayers and your support over the years and for the past week. I never knew just how BIG my big brother was in the eyes of so many people until this passed week. He would be proud to know that the Hill at Five flag’s will be called Joe Huff’s hill.
Steve McNair my brother’s best friend, and one of the best anyone could ever have, Thank You. To every volunteer in every in fire station as far as this will reach. You are all appreciated and prayed for. On behalf of all our family to all of yours. May the grace and love of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ be in your hearts and with us all.
Rev. Larry W. Huff Joe’s little brother
A great man that will be truly missed, prayers continue for his family and all that knew him. To Chief McNair you did a wonderful job speaking, know that Joe was glad to have such a great friend.
Larry Huff, I am sorry for the loss of your brother. He was a good steward to the Beulah Fire Department, just as you have been a good steward to the church.
RIP Joe Huff! I cried even reading the above, as I have been at many funerals for firefighters, police officers and EMT/Paramedics and remember well that final call. It rips your heart out. Joe was ALWAYS there and always ready to help do anything that he could do to help me as a paramedic. Again, we will have another angel overseeing ECFR and ECEMS. RIP JOE! We love you and you will be greatly missed. Love, Kay
Thank you NE for covering this. Whitney Houston was more important to the PNJ and WEAR than a local *HERO* that gave 50 years to protecting and serving all of us in Escambia County.
Thank you Joe Huff. Heaven’s a brighter place today with Joe. But somehow I bet he’s still jumping up when the pagers go off for Sta. 2, jumping on 202 and watching over as angel. God Bless you!
A very touching service and a wonderful and fitting tribute to a good friend. Great job by Steve McNair at the service. Tough duty. You did a tremendous job. To Mr. and Mrs. Huff, Larry and all the family, you have our deepest sympathy, our thoughts and our prayers. To my GREAT FRIEND JOE, Five Flag’s Hill will NEVER be the same. RIP my FRIEND.