From The Tribune staff reports
SPRINGVILLE — A special ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 17, in memory of Springville Fire & Rescue firefighter Jared Echols.
Echols, a lifelong resident of Springville, died a year ago while participating in recruit training at the Anniston Regional Training Center.
“Jared truly had a servant’s heart, where he served the Lord fervently and had a passion for helping others,” said Springville Fire Chief Richard Harvey. “It was this passion for others that led Jared into the fire service first as a volunteer firefighter with the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department and after completion of his paramedic training with the Springville Fire Department.”
Echols is survived by his wife, Melissa, and two daughters, Mallory and Hailey.
“Jared’s infectious smile and positive personality may be gone, but he will never be forgotten,” Harvey added.
The ceremony Wednesday will be at Springville Fire Station #1, at 9 a.m. Fire department personnel will honor Echols with a wreath-laying ceremony and with a groundbreaking for a new memorial garden.