Press release from Hendersonville Rotary Club:
On Tuesday, April 6, at noon, Hendersonville Rotary Club President Marybeth Burns, and former President Sheila Grapes, awarded the 2019/2020 “Non-Rotarian Outstanding Professional Achievement” award to Captain Josh Poore of the Hendersonville Fire Department (medically retired).
This award has been delayed in its presentation due to COVID 19 restrictions. It is awarded annually to Non-Rotarians displaying both exemplary professional and community contributions to Hendersonville and Henderson county. The award language for this year contained the following language:
Captain Josh Poore is selected as the 2019/2020 recipient of the “Non-Rotarian Outstanding Professional Achievement” award by the Hendersonville Rotary Club based on the following:
Captain Poore has spent his entire professional career demonstrating “service above self” by being a servant leader in his profession above and beyond what could be expected or asked. During his 11 years as a professional firefighter with the Hendersonville Fire Department (HFD) he has not only saved lives, but consistently gone further in providing compassionate assistance to hundreds of Hendersonville victims and citizens. For Josh Poore, the job was not done when the fire was put out, but only when the victims also had their personal and emotional needs addressed as well.
After being promoted to Captain in 2017 he was awarded “Officer of the Year” in 2018. He was voted by his peers for this honor based on his support of the department’s mission, but also for his ability to create an environment for his fellow firefighters to see their profession as more than just a job, but as a calling. His outstanding service as a first responder has provided an opportunity for others to survive, and succeed. He continually challenged himself above and beyond what was required in his job description, and in doing so inspired others to improve their skills and abilities through structured hands-on training and other programs he implemented, but more significantly, through his infectious attitude.
Josh is also a military veteran who served his country overseas and returned home to serve his community as a firefighter. He was deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom for a tour in Afghanistan during which he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was also awarded the “Global War on Terrorism” medal, along with many other awards.
In June of 2019, Captain Poore was in a serious non-work related accident involving an incomplete spinal cord injury and was unable to move his arms or legs. Josh was transported to Mission Hospital where he underwent a surgery that fused his spine at C3 and C4. After many days in the ICU he was ultimately moved to a facility specializing in rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord and brain injuries. He was not expected to walk again. Despite these life changing injuries, Captain Poore has continued to be an inspiration to his family, friends and fellow firefighters as he courageously pursues his rehabilitation. He has defied expectations by walking again, and while medically retired from the HFD, he is actively involved in raising his three sons while supporting his wife, Ashley, who is pursuing an advanced medical related degree.
We are honored by Josh’s presence here today as we acknowledge that his recovery to date is nothing short of a miracle. It is a true privilege to provide a Hendersonville first responder, veteran, and survivor with recognition for his outstanding professional service to our community, and also his inspiring personal example of courage and determination.
The award ceremony took place at the Summit Marketing Group Offices in Hendersonville, NC on April 6, 2020.
Past award recipients have included:
2017-2018 Bo Caldwell – Superintendent of Henderson County Schools
2017-2018 Mark Warwick – General Manager of WTZQ
2018-2019 Mike Burnette – Henderson County Emergency Management Services (EMS) Manager
2018-2019 Amy Brantley – Assistant Henderson County Manager
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