2007 Hiram Brinson Award
The North Carolina Association of Rescue and EMS held its 50th Annual Rescue Convention on
the weekend of June 22nd through June 24th, 2007. This year’s convention was held in Hickory,
N.C. at the Hickory Metro Convention Center.
At the awards presentation held on Saturday June 23rd, Alexander Rescue Squad received yet
another award. The Squad was the recipient of the 2007 Hiram Brinson Memorial Award and
presented posthumously to the Squad in memory of Craig Alan Helms. This award is given in
memory of Hiram Brinson, who was a life member of the North Carolina Association of Rescue
& EMS and resided in Duplin County. Mr. Brinson was very dedicated in his career as the long
time Emergency Services Director of Duplin County. He was a past commander of the North
Carolina Association of Rescue & EMS and served the Association actively until his death. He
passed away in 2003 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Craig Alan Helms served Alexander Rescue Squad as a very active member and participated in
the annual competitions as much as his health would allow him to. As a double lung transplant
recipient, Craig was always ready and willing to give life saving care to anyone who needed it. It
was, in fact his actions in the 2005 competition held in Winston Salem that would foster Hiram
Brinson’s family to conceive the award. Craig was involved in the Rescue Challenge with Squad
member Darren Chewning when he had problems breathing and was forced to take a break in the
competition. This being a timed event and the fastest time is the winner there was no way Craig
could win the competition. However, his pride in his work, his dedication to completing
whatever he started and his truly knowing his own personal limitations won the hearts of
everyone watching that day. It was only fitting that one day he would win the Hiram Brinson
Memorial Award. Craig did win the award and was able to watch from heaven as he passed away
December 11th, 2005. He never let his disability stop him from doing what he set out to do within
the Squad or in life. Craig always knew his limitations and knew when to say enough was
enough. He was very deserving of the award for his strong commitment to proudly serve the
people of Alexander County. Alexander Rescue is very proud to have had a person like Craig
Helms to have been a member of our organization.
Alexander Rescue Squad is a proud member of the United Way of Alexander County and if you
are interested in becoming a member please join us at one of our regular meetings. The Squad
meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at there base located at 197 Emergency Street,
Taylorsville. If you would like more information please email us at rescue@alexanderrescue.org
or contact our base @ 828-632-9410.
Mike Byers
Public Relations Officer
Alexander Rescue Squad.