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DECATUR, Ala. - The chrome on the fire trucks isn't the only shiny thing around the Decatur Fire Department.
Many Decatur firefighters have shiny heads these days. That's because they shaved their hair so paramedic Kirby Hines won't be the only one at their station with no hair.
Hines is undergoing treatment for brain cancer and had to shave his head for Birmingham surgeons to remove a brain tumor.
"It was the least we could do to show our support," firefighter Nathan Springer said. "It's hard for a 22-year-old guy who appears healthy to be hit with this type of news."
Hines began experiencing severe headaches in April. An MRI revealed a small tumor growing at the base of his brain. Doctors operated to remove part of the tumor, and went back later to remove more.
During a third surgery, surgeons implanted a shunt to control the pressure in Hines' brain.
To show solidarity, everyone who works at Station 1 shaved their heads. Soon firefighters from other Decatur fire stations followed suit. In all, about 30 firefighters have taken up shears.
Springer has accompanied Hines to rehab therapy and continues to support him as he recovers.
"The little things we take for granted, he has had to learn again," Springer told The Decatur Daily.
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Information from: The Decatur Daily, http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/index.shtml
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