Haynes - “In The News”  

Trae Williamson works hard to help those in need. Haynes Ambulance wants the community to return the favor.

Company officials set up an account Wednesday with Wachovia Bank to accept donations for Williamson, who was seriously injured Saturday when he was hit by a car while on duty with the fire department. Williamson is a full-time fire medic with the Montgomery Fire Department, a part-time paramedic with Haynes Ambulance and a Marine Reservist.

Williamson suffered a bruised liver, a punctured lung, three cracked ribs and two broken vertabrae in the accident. He isn't sure yet when he will be able to return to work, but a full recovery is expected in about six months.

Williamson was discharged from Jackson Hospital and returned to his Millbrook home Wednesday afternoon. He said he is grateful that he is not paralyzed.

"I'm walking. I'm talking," he said. His wife, Sherry Williamson, is seven months pregnant and the couple has a 5-year-old daughter. "I'll be able to enjoy my little girl and the one I have on the way."

Scott Patterson, operations manager for Haynes in Montgomery and a fire department lieutenant, said he sees Trae Willaimson's positive outlook every day.

"He may have been up all night making runs and still comes in with a smile on his face," Patterson said.

Williamson was slated to deploy with the Marine Reserve in May. He said he is not sure if his injuries will affect that assignment or if he will be called to serve at a later date.

"My main concern is to get well and take care of those guys," Williamson said.

On the plus side, however, he said he will get to be with his wife when their baby is born.

"I'm actually thrilled about that," he said. "I guess that's one of those blessings in disguise."

Update: Montgomery Medic

Updated to Stable Condition                       

Feb 18, 2007 11:22 PM CST

A Montgomery fire medic was hit by a car Saturday afternoon, sending him to the hospital. His condition was updated to stable Sunday.

According to police, J.F. Williamson was working an accident on Day Street when a 17-year old driver turned in front of a truck. The truck hit the car, sending it across Day Street and hitting the medic.

Officials caution drivers, if you see emergency personnel working an accident, slow down and pay attention.

"We're out there in the middle of traffic on the roads everyday, and this could happen to anybody. We're out there trying to help the public, and we end up being a victim as well," said Captain Bill Guthrie.

Medics also took the 17 year old to the hospital with minor injuries. Authorities say she will not face criminal charges.

Fire Medic Injured

 Be A Part of the Public Safety Insurance Fund

 August 9, 2006

Created in 2002 by Montgomery businessmen Grant Sullivan and Jerry Wills, The Public Safety Insurance Fund (PSIF) was the first program of its kind in the nation. The two men persuaded various Montgomery businesses to join forces in providing free life and accidental death insurance policies for all active duty officers with the Montgomery Fire Department, the Montgomery Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department.  In 2005, coverage was increased to $60,000 and 370 Alabama State Troopers on highway patrol were added to the program.

There are currently seventy sponsors of the PSIF.  The one-year insurance policies, which are renewed annually, carry up to $60,000 in benefits ($10,000 life insurance and $50,000 accidental death) for every full-time active duty officer of Montgomery's public safety departments and Alabama's highway patrol officers. The policies are paid for with cash donations, with no cost to Montgomery police officers, firefighters, deputies, highway patrol officers, their families or taxpayers. AIG, Reliance Standard and Palomar Insurance served as the insurance brokers on these policies.

The Montgomery fund also triggered the creation of similar funds in Prattville and Selma paid for by businesses in those communities.  In addition to the benefits paid to Deputy Boyd's family, the families of a firefighter from Montgomery and an Autauga County Sheriff's Department employee have been awarded benefits from the funds.

According to Grant Sullivan, "We're encouraged by the support the business community has shown to the Public Safety Insurance Fund and we've been able to grow the program a little each year.  This is just a small way for us to show our gratitude to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve us."

If businesses, companies or organizations would like to join and contribute for the coming year, contact Grant Sullivan at 224-1560, Jerry Wills at 224-2090 or Sullivan & Wills at 396-3333. PSIF Public Safety Insurance Fund  

The below sponsors contributed to the purchase of the following for every full-time, active duty firefighter, police officer and sheriff's deputy in Montgomery County as well as full-time, on-the-road Alabama State Troopers: 1. A $10,000 Life Insurance Policy due to death for any reason at any time. 2. A $50,000 Accidental Death Policy due to death in an accident, not in the line of duty.

THE PUBLIC SAFETY INSURANCE FUND

AES, Inc.
Charles Jinright
Alabama Gas Corporation
Alabama Power Company
Alabama Sheriff's Association
Alabama State Employees Association
J. Knox Argo & Joseph W. Warren, P.C.
Aronov Homes, Inc.
Attorney General Troy King
Bama Budweiser of Montgomery, Inc.
Mike Bazzell Enterprises, LLC
Beasley Allen Crow Methvin Portis & Miles, P.C.
Winton Blount & Associates
Bonefish Grill
John Buettner, DMD
Celebrations
Chappy's Deli
Danny Clements Builder, Inc.
Hugh Cole Builder, Inc.
Colonial BancGroup, Inc.
Construction Materials Ltd., Inc.
Willie Cook, City Council District 6
Cumulus Broadcasting
Edwards Plumbing
Chip Ellis Motors
Filet & Vine
Frames & Arts, Inc.
Gardner Carpet & Decorating
Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, Inc.
David & Barbara Grimes
Gulf States Distributors
Haynes Ambulance
Lee Helms Associates, LLC
Hyundai Motor Mfg/Alabama
Joe Hudson's Collision Center
Jack Ingram Motors, Inc.
Intersouth Foodservice Group
Jackson Hospital
Jalapeno's Mexican Restaurant
Kyser Property Management
Lowder New Homes
McClinton & Company
Judge Lucie McLemore
Merrill Lynch
Midstate Advertising
Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
Montgomery Biscuits
Montgomery Independent
Montgomery Living Magazine
Mount Scrap Material
Dr. Leigh Anne Nevins
Palomar Insurance Corporation
Professional Facilities Management
R & R Supply Company, Inc.
Rebel Pest Control
Reid/O'Donahue Advertising, Inc.
RELI Title, Inc.
RiteWay Service, Inc.
Paul Robertson Photography, Inc.
Sabel Steel
Mr. & Mrs. B. Stephen Schloss
Saint Jude Medical, C.R.M.D. Montgomery Division
Sinclair's/Montgomery Catering
South Montgomery Academy
Sullivan & Wills Real Estate
The Long Run Press
WAKA-TV
WCOV-TV
WNCF-TV
WSFA.com
Jim Wilson & Associates n
Wilson Price Barranco Blankenship & Billingsley 

Source: WSFA