Thanks Again Chief

Thanks Again Chief

In 1990, a young college student from Campbell University came through the doors of Buies Creek Fire Station and asked what he had to do in order to join. He filled out an application and soon became a member of a small town department. When he joined the department there were only three engines and one brush truck, all the rigs were three man cabs; however, there was standing room on the rear step. Shortly after he joined, the department purchased one of the 1st enclosed custom cab engines (821) in the county. Bradshaw quickly became one of the guys who lived off of this war wagon! At this same time BCFD, began running multiple structure fires a week often several in one day. Ashley quickly finished his training and began jumping on the wagon for these calls where he was on the knob and gaining experience that would last him a life time. Before long the need for a first responder program arose and Bradshaw was one of the guys to step up and help run these calls. He became good at his job and in the mid '90s he was elected to Lieutenant then Captain. In 1999, he became assistant chief where he remained until Chief Sox retired in 2002. While Chief of Department, Bradshaw oversaw many projects including 2 rigs an engine (822) and 105' tower ladder (848). He also saw the completion of the station addition. One of the last things he was able to finish out was writing a successful grant for 2006, where BCFD was awarded $65,000 to use in purchasing turnout gear for every member. In his march to the top as a volunteer, he worked filling vending machines, landscaping, building cabinets, and finally as a firefighter at Wake New Hope Fire Department which is where he remains today as a Captain at station 1. He also met the beautiful Susan Coombs and they were married. Not long after they had a child Olivia Grace and when expecting only one 3 years later they were told it would be twins. They explored all of their options at what would be best for their family and they decided to move back home to Wallace, North Carolina. In March the Bradshaw twins arrived and they were very healthy. The family moved to their new home and have settled in well. The Buies Creek Fire Department would like to thank Chief Bradshaw for 17 years of dedicated service and we wish him and the family all the best of luck. He will be missed by all of his brothers and sisters at BCFD.

As a member Bradshaw was awarded firefighter of the year and officer of the year several times. There are many homes still standing today and many lives saved because of the efforts he assisted in with his fellow firefighters.