Henrico officials honor Lakeside Firehouse's 'Mama 305'

A Lakeside woman whose connection with her local Henrico firehouse began five years ago when she suffered a medical emergency recently was presented with the county's Distinguished Community Service Medal. The award honors county citizens or employees who demonstrate acts of community service.

Barbara Chapman fell ill while at the Lakeside Farmers' Market five years ago, and crew members from Firehouse No. 5 across the street responded to help her.

“Evidently, I didn’t eat enough breakfast and I couldn’t wait to get there,” said Chapman, who has diabetes. “I went over and I kept falling. Every time I’d take a couple of steps, I’d fall and I’d stumble.”

A prick of Chapman’s finger revealed that her blood glucose level was dangerously low, but she refused to go to the emergency room. The firefighter on duty at the scene offered Chapman some jelly packets, which she ate and helped raise her blood glucose level so that she could get back to her car and return home.

“When I got home, I got to thinking: They saved my life. What can I do for them?” Chapman said.

So, she began to visit the station regularly, sharing homecooked meals and spreading joy among the firefighters. She also has brought small gifts for the firefighters, such as door mats and toothpaste. Firehouse 5 has welcomed Chapman into the family, with the affectionate title of “Mama 305,” named after the station’s fire engine.​

“If you talk with her long enough, you’ll realize she is taking care of her neighbors, [and] she’s taking care of friends,” Fire Lt. Travis Bowling said. “She’s just an extremely generous and caring person. We’re lucky that we’re just part of that.”

Some of the firefighters’ favorite foods from Chapman include her soups, chili and Mediterranean food.

“I treat them like they’re my children, my boys and my girls,” she said.

Fairfield District Supervisor Roscoe D. Cooper III surprised Chapman with the award during a Henrico Board of Supervisors’ work session on Aug. 27.

“She is the embodiment of paying it forward,” Cooper said. “[She] is a living example of what service to others means.”

The award is something Chapman said she’ll cherish forever.

“It made my heart swell,” she said.