By SAMANTHA BALLARD/Staff Writer

CULLEOKA — From hot dogs to helipads, the Culleoka Volunteer Fire Department held a dedication ceremony and supper Saturday to celebrate the latest addition to their town, one that guarantees lives will be saved and patients will find medical assistance faster.

With more than 200 people surrounding the Culleoka fire hall and dozens eating hamburgers and hot dogs inside, a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter landed at 6:20 p.m. onto a new helipad. Inside was the boy that everyone came to see.

Ronnie Embrey, a 14-year-old Eagle Scout from Columbia, constructed the helipad next to the fire hall for his Eagle Scout leadership service badge; Vanderbilt LifeFlight will use the helipad to shorten response times to the area.

Ronnie Embrey,14, sits inside a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter after landing on the helipad he constructed during a dedication ceremony Saturday night. The helipad, located next to the Culleoka Volunteer Fire Department, will help Vanderbilt LifeFlight reach those in Culleoka needing medical assistance faster.
Staff photo by Samantha Ballard

It took Ronnie, his Scout troop and about two dozen volunteers 473 hours to construct the helipad; this does not include the time spent seeking donations to cover the $17,000 cost. The entire project, from brainstorming to construction, took nine months and the support of many businesses, local government officials and community members.

Because a portion of the helipad structure is on land owned by the Maury County School Board, Ronnie had to obtain approval from them, Maury County Mayor James Bailey and various councils before construction could begin.

Clint Derryberry, a lieutenant with the Culleoka Volunteer Fire Department, suggested the helipad construction to Ronnie for his Eagle Scout badge.

“Ronnie is a very caring, dedicated boy, and I knew that this project, this huge project, would really challenge him,” Derryberry said. “You don’t see someone this young spend so much time towards something that could benefit so many lives very often.”

The helipad will greatly reduce the time it takes for help to arrive; it usually takes Maury Regional Emergency Medical Services two to three times as long as it would take Vanderbilt LifeFlight to make the same trip to Culleoka.

Once the helicopter blades came to a halt, Ronnie hopped out of the cockpit and quickly walked off the helipad, stopping next to his father. Bailey, Director of the Maury County Emergency Medical Services Greg Maples and Ronnie Embrey were some of the speakers at the dedication.

“It is unheard of in these days to have a young person be so involved with a project such as this,” Maples said. “Instead of having to try to park a chopper in someone’s field and worry about debris and flying objects, we now have a clean helipad that will guarantee a place for Vanderbilt to get to quickly.”

Bailey assured those at the dedication that it is only the beginning for additions to medical service.

“I see this as a step toward the future, a prototype for more additions to medical response options,” Bailey said, smiling. “It will only get better in the next few years.”

Ronnie was then given a Culleoka Volunteer Fire Department hat and shirt. When asked if he had anything to say, Ronnie kept it short.

“Not really,” said Ronnie, as the crowd erupted in laughter.

As citizens, government officials and LifeFlight members cheered, Ronnie walked back to his family, letting the project speak for itself.

Afterward, Ron Embrey, Ronnie’s father, spoke of his son’s achievement.

“There was never a time that he did not think that the helipad would be built,” Embrey said. “We have always been optimistic, and it is easy to be that way with the close community that we belong to.”

Because of Ronnie’s contribution, Culleoka has gotten a lot closer to needed medical assistance.

Story created Jun 04, 2006 - 16:18:25 EDT


This news item appeared on the columbiadailyherald.com site 6/4/2006
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Scout builds LifeFlight helipad
By SAMANTHA BALLARD/Staff Writer
CULLEOKA — From hot dogs to helipads, the Culleoka Volunteer Fire Department held a dedication ceremony and supper Saturday to celebrate the latest addition to their town, one that guarantees lives will be saved and patients will find medical assistance faster. With more than 200 people surrounding the Culleoka fire hall and dozens eating hamburgers and hot dogs inside, a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter landed at 6:20 p.m. onto a new helipad. Inside was the boy that everyone came to see.
Ronnie Embrey, a 14-year-old Eagle Scout from Columbia, constructed the helipad next to the fire hall for his Eagle Scout leadership service badge; Vanderbilt LifeFlight will use the helipad to shorten response times to the area.	Ronnie Embrey,14, sits inside a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter after landing on the helipad he constructed during a dedication ceremony Saturday night. The helipad, located next to the Culleoka Volunteer Fire Department, will help Vanderbilt LifeFlight reach those in Culleoka needing medical assistance faster. Staff photo by Samantha Ballard
It took Ronnie, his Scout troop and about two dozen volunteers 473 hours to construct the helipad; this does not include the time spent seeking donations to cover the $17,000 cost. The entire project, from brainstorming to construction, took nine months and the support of many businesses, local government officials and community members. Because a portion of the helipad structure is on land owned by the Maury County School Board, Ronnie had to obtain approval from them, Maury County Mayor James Bailey and various councils before construction could begin. Clint Derryberry, a lieutenant with the Culleoka Volunteer Fire Department, suggested the helipad construction to Ronnie for his Eagle Scout badge. “Ronnie is a very caring, dedicated boy, and I knew that this project, this huge project, would really challenge him,” Derryberry said. “You don’t see someone this young spend so much time towards something that could benefit so many lives very often.” The helipad will greatly reduce the time it takes for help to arrive; it usually takes Maury Regional Emergency Medical Services two to three times as long as it would take Vanderbilt LifeFlight to make the same trip to Culleoka. Once the helicopter blades came to a halt, Ronnie hopped out of the cockpit and quickly walked off the helipad, stopping next to his father. Bailey, Director of the Maury County Emergency Medical Services Greg Maples and Ronnie Embrey were some of the speakers at the dedication. “It is unheard of in these days to have a young person be so involved with a project such as this,” Maples said. “Instead of having to try to park a chopper in someone’s field and worry about debris and flying objects, we now have a clean helipad that will guarantee a place for Vanderbilt to get to quickly.” Bailey assured those at the dedication that it is only the beginning for additions to medical service. “I see this as a step toward the future, a prototype for more additions to medical response options,” Bailey said, smiling. “It will only get better in the next few years.” Ronnie was then given a Culleoka Volunteer Fire Department hat and shirt. When asked if he had anything to say, Ronnie kept it short. “Not really,” said Ronnie, as the crowd erupted in laughter. As citizens, government officials and LifeFlight members cheered, Ronnie walked back to his family, letting the project speak for itself. Afterward, Ron Embrey, Ronnie’s father, spoke of his son’s achievement. “There was never a time that he did not think that the helipad would be built,” Embrey said. “We have always been optimistic, and it is easy to be that way with the close community that we belong to.” Because of Ronnie’s contribution, Culleoka has gotten a lot closer to needed medical assistance. Story created Jun 04, 2006 - 16:18:25 EDT