Bobcat Martinsburg Begins to Bounce Back After Fire

As Chief of the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company, Randy Acker is accustomed to having his days interrupted by the whistle. Throughout his decades-long career in the fire service, Acker has been called away from his home and work countless times to protect the lives and property of his community. When you do anything for as long as Acker has, the days and years tend to blend together and while each call is important, you have to develop an emotional detachment, a kind of self-preservation to avoid burnout.

Around noon on Monday, Oct. 16, Acker received a call that was a first in his career...