The Fire Wire Cherokee County Office of Fire & Emergency Services

Transcription

1 The Fire Wire Cherokee County Office of Fire & Emergency Services January - February Goodbye to Old Station #1 Photos and story of page 4 Volume 16 - Issue 1

2 Published bi-monthly by the Cherokee County Office of Fire and Emergency Services The Fire Wire Page 2 Senior Fire Educator Retires Tim Prather Fire Chief Tim Cavender Editor Eddie Robinson Assistant Fire Chief Shane West Field Operations Chief Danny West Division Chief Dean Floyd Division Chief Chad Arp Fire Marshal Jill Mabley, M.D.,FACEP Medical Director Cherokee County Office of Fire and Emergency Services 150 Chattin Drive Canton, GA Phone: [678] Fax: [678] Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Closed Saturday, Sunday and Holidays ABOUT THE COVER: Former Fire Chief, Bob Neeley, looks at the old marker that hung outside of the old Station 1 and is now located in the new Station 1. Photos and story on page 4 Cherokee County Senior Fire Educator, Babette Davis, receives her megaphone from Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prahter. Cherokee County Senior Fire Safety Educator, Babette Davis, was recognized last October at the Cherokee County Fire Marshal s office for her retirement from the fire department. Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, thanked Davis for her 19 years of service to the citizens of Cherokee County and presented her with a bugle award. The bugle or speaking trumpet is a reference to a megaphone like device that was used in the early days of the fire service. Several of her co-workers and her husband, Cecil, who retired from the fire department in April, were also on-hand for the presentation. Davis began her career with Cherokee County on November 30th, 1998, when she was hired as a clerk for Cherokee County EMA. In 1999, she became an administration assistant in the Fire Marshal s office. Davis started her career as a fire educator on January 2, 2005, and became a Fire Safety Educator II in She was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2008 and later became the Senior Fire Safety Educator on May 11, We thank Davis for her dedication for teaching adults and children throughout our county on the importance of fire safety. We wish her the best of luck during her retirement years.

3 Moose Lodge Recognizes Public Safety Page 3 The Canton Moose Lodge, located in Canton, Georgia, honored several firefighters and staff members with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services during their annual Public Safety Service Awards Banquet that was held October 24th at the local Moose Lodge. Recognized at this year s banquet were:(left to right) Patti Pratt, Joe Jackso, Danny Daniels, Sgt. Michael Sims, Chris George, Daniel Thatcher Chris Shorts and Batalion Chief, Ricky Collett. After a speech by Pam Carnes, President and CEO, of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and a wonderful meal, members of the Canton Moose Lodge presented awards to several employees with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services. Battalion 1 Firefighter Award Sgt. Michael Sims Battalion 2 Firefighter Award Chris George Battalion 3 Firefighter Award Daniel Thatcher Volunteer Firefighter Award Joe Jackson EMS Employee of the Year Award Lt. Brad Gravitt Fire Administration Award Danny Daniels Special Operations Award Patti Pratt Explorer of the Year Award Chris Shorts

4 Page 4 A Final Goodbye to Old Fire Station #1 On the weekend of October 14th and 15th, several current and former firefighters returned to the old Oak Grove Fire Station #1 for a reunion. Recently, firefighters were moved from the old building to the new fire station that was built next to it. According to Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, It s that time. She has served us well for nearly 45 years. Some of the original crews spent the last overnight shift last night. She won t be standing anymore by the end of the month making room for the new girl in town. Thank you Phillip McPherson for organizing a Attending the reunion at the old Station #1 were (left to right) Phillip great reunion sharing in the McPherson, David Farmer, Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, history of the first volunteer to Tommy Carnes, Dana McPherson, former Fire Chief, Bob Nealy, Billy career fire service in Cherokee Moody, Stan Johnston, Dan Floyd and Tim Milburn. County. The colors have been lowered for the last time and secured for keepsake at the new Station-1. Several of the former members of the Oak Grove Station spent the night for one last time this past weekend. Members enjoyed dinner and shared stories of good times at the old fire station. It was bitter sweet to see everyone come together one last time to pay a tribute to a place that held so many memories, Last night, I had the honor of spending time with the brotherhood that has had so much influence on the man I am today. These men are my brothers and they will always be with me and I with them. I can t put into words what every one of them means to me and my family. I am honored to have served with some of the bravest men and women on the planet, stated former firefighter, Billy Moody. The old station will never be forgotten as a facade of the front of the old Station 1 was created by builders and placed in the new station featuring the original door and plaque. Cherokee County Battalion Chief, Dan Floyd (left) and retired Battalion Chief, Tommy Carnes, share memories at the old Fire Station #1.

5 Page 5 Bryan Payne Retires from Fire Department Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, presents Bryan Payne with his bugle during his retirement celebration. Cherokee County firefighter and Warehouse Specialist, Bryan Payne, was recognized in September at Cherokee County Fire Logistics for his retirement from the fire department. Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, thanked Payne for his 18 years of service to the citizens of Cherokee County and presented him with a bugle award. The bugle or speaking trumpet is a reference to a megaphone like device that was used in the early days of the fire service. Cherokee County Assistant Chief, Eddie Robinson several of his coworkers and his girlfriend, Laura, were also on-hand for the presentation. Payne began his career with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services on January 31st, He later became a Fire Apparatus Operator and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He left the department in July of 1998 to work in another career, but came back to the department on January 15 th, 2007 and would eventually take on the responsibilities as a Warehouse Specialist. According to Payne, I worked for several years serving the citizens of this county and I came back and eventually served the firefighters so they could do their job for the citizens of Cherokee County. Payne was a joy to work with and had the ability to tell funny stories about his life and work with the fire department. He enjoyed sharing his memories of the department and kept the employees entertained with his style of humor. Bryan and his girlfriend, Laura, reside in Dahlonega, Georgia. We wish Bryan many happy years of retirement!

6 Page 6 Wet Down Ceremony Held For New Fire Trucks Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services held a wet down ceremony in September at the Cherokee County Administrative Offices for five new fire engines. According to Assistant Fire Chief, Eddie Robinson, the new trucks are 2017 E-One Typhoons that each has a 1500 gallons per minute (GPM) pump. The trucks also have seating for 6 firefighters and on board generators for emergency flood lighting and equipment. Assistant Fire Chief Robinson thanked the Cherokee County taxpayers, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, County Manager, Jerry Cooper, and Cherokee County firefighters for their help in obtaining the new trucks. The Cherokee County Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) was used in funding the new trucks which cost approximately $400,000 each. Before the wet down ceremony, Robinson spoke about the history behind wetting down new fire engines. The tradition of wetting down the truck dates back to the horse-drawn pumper days, when horses were wet down to cool them off after a fire. A wet down is a large celebration in which the fire department will share in the joy of a new fire engine or truck by wetting it down before it goes into service. After a prayer from Cherokee County Fire Chaplain, Dana McPherson, members of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners came forward with water in buckets to help with the wet down of one of the new fire trucks. The new fire trucks were put in services at the following stations; Station 1 in Oak Grove, Station 3 in Hickory Flat, Station 17 in Lake Arrowhead, Station 19 on Highway 92 West and Station 24 on Georgia Highway 5 near the Sixes Road intersection. Members Cherokee County Board of Commissions attend the wet down ceremony.

7 Page 7 Smoke Alarm and Battery Blitz Held On November 15 th, 2017, the Cherokee County Fire Marshal s office conducted a Smoke Alarm/ Battery Blitz at Heron Pond, which is a senior living community. A smoke alarm and battery blitz was recently held at Heron Ponds subdivision. their support of the event. According to Cherokee County Fire Marshal, Barry Gibson, The amount of cooperation and enthusiasm from several different facets of our public safety family needs to be recognized. I would like to recognize Tim McCratic, Lisa McCratic, Kevin McArthur, John Kriemer, Carolyn Jones and Wimer Jones who are Cherokee County CERT Members. Kenny Robinson and William Logan who are Explorers from Cherokee County Explorer Post #469 and Lt. Brandon Carr, Miguel Castro, Kevin Fox and Ryan Hixon for Not only were the batteries changed but we were able to educate as well. Watching everyone stand around with the residents talking, smiling, and laughing reminds me why we do what we do, added Gibson Arp Appointed to Fire Marshal for Cherokee County Cherokee County Deputy Fire Marshal, Chad Arp, was named the new Fire Marshal for Cherokee County in December. Arp replaces Barry Gibson who recently retired. Arp, who has held the position of Deputy Fire Marshal for the past three years, says he is excited about the role. Gibson said that he knows Chad will do a good job for Cherokee County. Arp, who has worked in fire safety education for my years and is the Lead Advisor for Safe Kids Cherokee County, says that he has worked directly under Gibson for the past few years. Arp also stated that he appreciates the guidance that Gibson has shown him and he wants to continue the high quality of service that the previous fire marshal has already provided to the citizens of Cherokee County. Chad Arp with his daughter, Ashley, when he was promoted to Fire Marshal.

8 Page 8 Prepare yourself Winter Safety Tips Winter is upon us and now is the time to keep you and your home protected: Some winter weather tips to help you get through a severe stretch of cold: Stay indoors during the storm. Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways. Avoid over exertion when shoveling snow. It s a serious workout, and going at it too hard can bring on a heart attack a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside. Stay dry. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits the cold rapidly. Cold-related injuries Watch for signs of frostbite: loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities. If any of these occur, get medical help immediately. Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If any of the hypothermia symptoms appear, get yourself (or the victim) to a warm location, remove wet clothing, and warm the center of the body first. Give the patient warm, non-alcoholic beverages if they are conscious. And of course, get medical help as soon as possible. Prepare your home Some tips to brace your home for a winter storm Clean out the gutters, disconnect and drain all outside hoses. If possible, shut off outside water valves. Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. Repair roof leaks and remove tree branches that could get weighed down with ice or snow and fall on your house or your neighbor s. (Avoid liability for the latter.) Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl spaces with insulation sleeves to slow heat transfer. Consider an insulated blanket for your water heater. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when you re not using it. Have a contractor check your roof to see if it would sustain the weight of a heavy snowfall. Make sure your furniture isn t blocking your home s heating vents. During cold spells, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, particularly those in the kitchen and bathrooms. Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces. If your house will be unattended during cold periods, consider draining the water system.