They were just telling stories, really, about a beloved friend and fellow firefighter whose absence left a hole in many hearts as well as volunteer services.

Capt. Tim Peebles, who died last March after a long illness, was a hard-working man whose many involvements changed lives, said Capt. Scott Cagle, fire marshal for Hall County Fire Services. Peebles' memory inspired others to consider how they could do more, too.

"We were sitting around talking about all the tasks and events and organizations that he was involved in," Cagle said. "The Fellowship of Christian Firefighters was a big part of that. We said, ‘Hey, for his sake we need to get that back up and running.'"

A core group of five or six firefighters has committed to revitalize the chapter Peebles founded in the early 1990s as part of the international nonprofit, which ties faith and firefighting together.

After its first formation the FCF-Lanier Region included a number of members from Hall County and area departments. Cagle envisions returning the chapter to one that encompasses several departments.

"There is just a very small core group of us right now, but we hope to build it back up," he said. "We're just getting our feet on the ground."

Soon the group plans to lift their voices as well. A gospel concert benefiting a family member of two county firefighters, Joe and Rick Rampley, is planned for April 1 at Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Flowery Branch.

CS&K and The LeFevre Quartet will perform. Both groups are volunteering their time as relatives to the firefighting cause. Cagle's wife, Jennifer, sings with CS&K and quartet member Mike LeFevre is a firefighter who supports the FCF mission.

"We want to make this an annual event and grow those who will be involved each year," Cagle said. "Next year, the beneficiary will be the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. But after that it will be to help local firefighters' families as it is this year."

Patricia Rice, 58, has a hereditary liver condition threatening her life. She has been called to Emory twice, believing an organ match had been found only to learn she would have to keep waiting.

"When you receive the call, everyone gets their hopes up," said Joe Rampley, who retired in 2004. "We're going to keep plugging away and keep hoping and praying."

Rampley and his brother Joe, a current member of the department, are focusing their efforts on the hefty costs associated with the complex surgery and recovery.

Joe Rampley asked Cagle and LeFever for help, believing the musical groups they are associated with could aid his sister.

The men, as part of the FCF-Lanier Region, answered the call.

"Firefighters have always been a close-knit group, that's throughout the fire service," Rampley said. "In particular, it seems like the Hall County bunch we're associated with, whenever there is a family need they tend to rise up and do whatever is necessary to assist."