The Fire Wire Cherokee County Office of Fire & Emergency Services

The Fire Wire Cherokee County Office of Fire & Emergency Services March - April Volume 15 - Issue 1 Running for a Great Cause Story on Page 4

Published bi-monthly by the Cherokee County Office of Fire and Emergency Services The Fire Wire New Paramedics Page 2 Tim Prather Fire Chief Tim Cavender Editor Eddie Robinson Assistant Fire Chief Greg Erdely Field Operations Chief Barry Gibson Fire Marshal Kevin Botts Support Services Manager Jill Mabley, M.D.,FACEP Medical Director Cherokee County Office of Fire and Emergency Services 150 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 Phone: [678] 493-4000 Fax: [678] 493-4034 www.cherokeecountyfire.org Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Closed Saturday, Sunday and Holidays ABOUT THE COVER: Battalion Chief, Ricky Collett, helps his grandson, Ashton, as they cross the finish line at this year s Guns and Hoses Run. Photos and story on page 4 Twenty-nine firefighters recently became paramedics after graduating on Tuesday at the Cherokee County Fire Training Center. According to Randy Pierson, the instructor, The 2016 Paramedic Course started on March 1, 2016 and concluded on February 27, 2017. The class met 2 days a week for a total of 650 classroom hours. In addition, the students had to complete 390 hours of clinical and field internship while still working their full-time assignments. Their training included anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, advanced airway management, cardiology and additional training in medical emergencies and trauma care. The class included 28 firefighters with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services and two with the City of Woodstock Fire Department. The graduates from the paramedic class were: Christian Kutas, Corey Deal, Eric Parr, Geordan Ganka, Reece Young, Matt Bennett, Miguel Castro, Daniel Thatcher, Jake Gunter, Destiny LaBossiere, Don Grant (City of Woodstock), Engle May, Brennan Jones, Alisha Graham, Tim Carter, Terrell Long, Jared Sellers (City of Woodstock), Nick Woodall, Reggie Thurmon, R.C. Vaughn, David Jones, Cason Wood, Joe El- Bisi, Chris George, Sam Lackender, Manuel Zapeta-Lopez, Josh McCord, Chris Roberts, and Cesar Saavedra. Congratulations to all of our new paramedics for all their hard work and a job well done.

Page 3 Shrout Receives Leadership Award Lt. Phillip Shrout, with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services, was the recipient of the Colonel George Bailey Leadership Award from the Rotary Club of Canton at their 2nd annual Public Safety Appreciation luncheon that was held on January 24th. Sgt. Phillip Shrout (center) is being congratulated by Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather (left) and Field Operations Chief, Greg Erdely (right). The distinguished award was named for Canton Rotarian, Colonial George Bailey. The award recognizes an individual who has or currently serves in our armed forces for their superior leadership and actions that have elevated the military service and public service profession through Service Above Self, and who has exhibited the consistent dedication and commitment to the ideas of Rotary and commitment to public service by demonstrating a devotion to help raise public service to greater heights. Shrout came to work for Cherokee County Fire in September of 2007. He works at Station 11 in south Canton and lives in Canton with his wife. They have one child. Cherokee County Has New Smoke Diver Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services announces that another firefighter has completed the Georgia Smoke Diver Program. Sgt. Justin Gilleland successfully completed the recent Smoke Diver Course on February 3, 2017. He was officially awarded Georgia Smoke Diver # 986. He was also presented a Letter of Commendation from Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, for a job well done. www.cherokeecountyfire.org The Georgia Smoke Diver course is a six-day, 60 hour program designed for the experienced firefighter who desires realistic training in self-survival, firefighter rescue, advanced search & rescue, thermal imaging, emergency procedures, teamwork, discipline, team leadership, situational awareness and decision making as well as how to function within the elements of the Incident Command System. The program condenses and replicates the extreme demands that may be placed on firefighters at any incident. The course is a physically demanding and mentally challenging program that allows each candidate to understand and manage their physical and mental limitations under safe but stressful realistic conditions.

The Fire Wire Page 4 Cherokee County Fire Wins Guns and Hoses Run Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services won the 2017 Guns and Hoses Run that was on Saturday, February 25th, at Hobgood Park. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services had the most runners to sign up for the event to take home the winning trophy. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services and the Cherokee County Sheriff s Office solicit registrations from runners to raise money for charity. The event was open to the public and runners were asked to pick the team they wanted to run for, Guns or Hoses, and part of their registration fee was donated to an area charity. Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, is presented the Guns and Hoses Trophy by Kate Borden, Recreation Coordinator with the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Department. The fire department donated their winnings to the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. The purpose Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, which is located in Salacoa, is to provide hope and a family-model home for boys who do not have either. According to a representative with the Cherokee County Recreation and Parks Agency, 384 runners signed up for the fire department, while 309 signed up with the sheriff s office. The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch will receive a check in the amount of $3,840. Kate Borden, with the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Department, presented the trophy to Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather. Members and leaders with the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch and the chiefs with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services give a thumbs up at the conclusion of the race.

Page 5 Explorers Succeed at Winterfest Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Explorer Post 469 brought home twelve awards during the 43rd Annual Winterfest Competition that was held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The competition took place on Saturday, February 11th at The Gatlinburg Convention Center with over 3,200 Explorers and Venturers from 17 states attended the event this year. Winterfest is the largest gathering in the United States catering to Venturers, Explorers and takes place annually in Gatlinburg, TN. The event is the largest scout assembly that specifically targets co-ed youth ages 14-21, and allows them to participate in a variety of competitive and social activities throughout the weekend. Attending this year s Winterfest competition were: Front row (left to right): Lt. Mike Caglioni, Capt. Bill Hamby(retd), Lt. Brad Gravitt, Chief Tom Pelletier(retd), FAO Jim Laughlin. Standing (left to right) :Lt. Scott Deal, FF Gary Strobl, Chief Rebecca Strobl, Sgt Kevin Davis, Sgt Stan Ice, Cadet FF CJ Endicott, Cadet Sgt Denver Ice, Cadet FF Fabian Fazzari, Cadet Sgt Wendy Corzo, Cadet FF Chris Shorts, Cadet FF Nick Lindsey, Cadet Sgt Dalton Hamby, Cadet Capt. Jake Pohlman, Cadet LT Kenny Robinson, FF Michele Ice, Cadet Sgt Chad Barday, Cadet FF Griffin Hansen, FF Michele Ice, SGT Michael Sims, FF Trent Nations, Cadet FF Chris Shorts, Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Robinson. Rear (elevated left to right): Sgt Jonathan Gottfried, FAO Corey Deal, Cadet Sgt Hannah Pohlman, Cadet FF Anna Bowyer, Cadet FF Jensen McColl, Cadet LT Brad Hough, Cadet FF Simon Worley, Cadet FF Carlito Mustari. The local post made history this weekend by earning 12 top 3 finishes! They placed first in basic first aid, the Cherokee drill, the EMS combat challenge, high rise deployment, rapid rescue and resuscitate, and the Z-drag. The second place award was obtained in the hazardous materials operations station. Plus, the local fire explorers earned 3rd place in basic first aid, triple lay, high rise deployment, rapid rescue and resuscitate, and table top display. The events involved the explorers performing forcible entry, hose deployment, hose crawl, victim removal, emergency medical treatment, and much more. Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, was very proud to the explorer s accomplishments this year. Being able to bring home 12 awards this year from Winterfest just shows you that we have one of the best explorer programs in the southeast. Chief Prather also wanted to thank Amicalola EMC of Jasper, Georgia, and Baker Imaging, LLCfor donating $1,000 each to assist the young men and women with Explorer Post #469. For more information about Explorer Post 469 you can contact Sgt. Michael Sims at 678-644-1377 or mrsims@cherokeega.com.

Page 6 Cherokee County Fire Holds Grand Openings for Two New Fire Stations The official Grand Opening and Hose Uncoupling Ceremony for the new 11,000 square foot Fire Station #2, located at 420 Valley Street in Ball Ground, was held on January 3rd. The new Station #2, located in Ball Ground, had its official grand opening on January 3, 2017. Field Operations Chief, Greg Erdely, was the emcee and welcomed those who attended the event. Cherokee County Fire Chaplain, Dana McPherson, came forward to give the invocation. The Cherokee County Fire Honor Guard presented the colors and students from Ball Ground Elementary School sang the National Anthem. The official Grand Opening and Hose Uncoupling Ceremony for the new 9,000 square foot Fire Station #3, located at 270 Crown Avenue in Canton, Georgia, was held on January 17th. Field Operations Chief, Greg Erdely, was also the emcee for this event. Cherokee County Fire Chaplain, Johnny Weaver, came forward to give the invocation. Weaver was also the first Fire Chief for the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department when the original Station 3 was constructed in 1976. The Cherokee County Fire Honor Guard presented the colors and students from Indian Knoll Elementary School sang the National Anthem. One of the highlights of this event came when Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, returned to the podium to make a special (Continue of page 7) The new Station #3, located in Hickory Flat, had its official grand opening on January 17, 2017.

The Fire Wire Page 7 Cherokee County Fire Holds Grand Openings for Two New Fire Stations (continued) presentation. Prather invited Larry Berry to come forward and thanked him for his 40 years of service to the Hickory Flat community and as Fire Chief of Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department. The Chief and Berry went to the front of the station and unveiled a plaque recognizing him for his loyalty and service to the fire department. Sgt. Michael Sims spoke at both grand openings and gave an overview of the new fire stations. The new stations offers numerous benefits to our citizens and to the firefighters of Cherokee County. Recent studies indicate that the average cost of a new fire station in metro Atlanta is approximately $325 per square. The new Fire Stations were built for only $200 per square foot. The apparatus bay has bi-fold doors that open quickly for response to emergencies and cost less money to maintain than traditional overhead doors. The epoxy floors are textured for safety and easily cleaned to prevent cross contamination of infectious diseases. The new stations have negative pressure ventilation to remove dangerous gasses and carcinogens from this area before they have time to settle or enter the living area. The turnout gear room and extractor room isolates potentially dangerous carcinogens from spreading through the fire station s living areas. Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, recognizes Volunteer Fire Chief, Larry Berry, for his service to the citizens of Cherokee County. The plaque on the front of Station 3 that honors Chief Larry Barry. Another important addition to the new stations is an exercise room, which allows firefighters to condition and prepare their bodies for the physical demands that come with this profession without having to leave their station. The Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Honor Guard made the presentation of colors at the grand opening of Station 2 and Station 3..

Page 8 Cherokee County Fire Promotes Fifteen Fifteen Cherokee County firefighters were promoted last night during ceremonies at Cherokee County Fire Training Complex, located south of Holly Springs. Richard Jordan, Jamie McCord and Richard Mitchell were promoted to the rank of Captain. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant were Dean Billings, Christopher Ginn, Eric Robidou and Phillip Shrout Attending the promotion ceremony were (front row - left to right: Sgt. Scott Villanacci, Sgt. Krisztian Kosiba, Sgt. Joel Sciranko, Sgt. Jason Angle, Sgt. Kevin Fox, Sgt. Dustin Hawkins, Sgt. Matthew Hutcherson and Sgt. Adam Elrod. (Back row - left to right) Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, Lt. Christopher Ginn, Lt. Dean Billings, Capt. Richard Jordan, Capt. Richard Mitchell, Capt. Jamie McCord, Lt. Phillip Shrout, Lt. Eric Robidou, Field Operations Chief, Greg Erdley, Fire Marshal, Barry Gibson. Eight Cherokee County firefighters were promoted to the rank of Sergeant: Jason Angle, Adam Elrod, Kevin Fox, Dustin Hawkins, Matthew Hutcherson, Krisztian Kosiba, Joel Sciranko and Scott Villanacci. Numerous firefighters, chiefs and family members attended the event. Refreshments were held afterwards in honor of the promotions. Get ready to move your clock forward as Daylight Saving Time returns on March 12th. Plus, change the batteries in your smoke detectors!