Fire chief gets one-day release from hospital
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GIBSON, Tenn. — Former Gibson Fire Chief David Gidderman makes his way home for the first time in months. The chief is escorted in by the first responders who have looked up to him for nearly 30 years. “It’s just amazing. I couldn’t stop crying when they were driving up,” Julianna McMinn said. “It made me so emotional because it’s amazing that he is here and doing so great.” Gidderman’s family says he suffered a heart attack in front of his first responder colleagues in March and went without a heartbeat for more than thirty minutes. His recovery has been remarkable, and the swift work by the heroes he stood by for several years saved his life. “A lot of the times people do good and don’t get recognized for it right away,” Gidderman said. “But in the long run, something like this happens — it makes a difference.” The town of Gibson is coming together in order to help raise money for Gidderman. Auctions, bands, food and cake walks all are raising thousands of dollars for a man who has truly put an imprint on this small town of 300. “I expected this when we first started doing this for David. I expected a lot of people here,” Mayor Tony Black said. “He is just an amazing guy,” McMinn said. “He would do anything for absolutely anybody. I mean he would just drop everything.” Organizers said the money raised from Saturday’s event will go to Gidderman’s family to assist in the recovery process. Gidderman is 62 years old.
