Hiram – According to Pam Baynes, wife of Hiram’s new Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Baynes, “Many of us know of or have heard of the ‘brotherhood’ of firemen. For those of you who wonder, it does exist. I have seen it. But for me, it’s not just a brotherhood. It’s a ‘familyhood’.” She’s gotten to experience this unique bond first-hand over the past 22 years that her husband, Brandon has been a fireman/paramedic.
“I have to say, most of my best friends are either firemen or firemen’s’ wives. We were babies when we met,” she explained. “As families do, our family continues to grow every year with babies or marriages.” As her husband built his career, from Garrettsville, then on to the Community Ambulance, Hiram Fire, Mantua and then the Bedford Heights Fire Department, their family added three children, along with countless firefighters and their families into the fold. And recently, when former Hiram Assistant Fire Chief Mark Kosak left to fill the Chief position at Ravenna Township, Brandon Baynes accepted the role. “We as a department, and the community as a whole, are really lucky to have Brandon take Mark’s place as our Assistant Chief,” shared HFD Fire Chief Bill Byers.
But the promotion means different things to this devoted couple. Pam explained, “Brandon is a man of very few words. In his eyes, it is no big deal. Its just part of the job. For me, it means a whole lot more. I was filled with pride because he was finally admitting to himself and the Village of Hiram that he is fully capable to fill the role,” beamed Pam. “And it means a lot the kids,” referring to their children, daughters Aspen and Leighton, and son, Everett. They think it is really cool that daddy is the second boss.”
Pam shared some thoughts on her husband’s new role, “In my eyes, Brandon Baynes is one the most humble people you will come across in your life. I don’t say that because I am married to him. I say it because it’s what people tell me.” She went on to explain that a friend of Brandon’s from the Bedford Department has told her on several occasions that he would follow Brandon’s lead on any fire, which says a great deal about his character.
To help celebrate the special occasion, their son Everett participated in the swearing in ceremony, pinning a badge on his biggest hero, while the rest of their family — including those in uniform, looked on. “All three of my kids are extremely proud of their dad, whether he is the Assistant Chief or not. And let’s face it, every 6-year-old boy would love to have his dad be a fireman or policeman.”
