The Fire Wire - Cherokee County Wire (Jan 2012).pdfwere promoted to the rank of sergeant included: Brady Cornelison, Jeremy Dillard, Kevin Duncan, Chris Ginn, Joe Hollifield, Daniel

The Fire WireCherokee County Office of Fire and Emergency Services

January - February Volume 10 - Issue 1

Cherokee County Office ofFire and Emergency Services

150 Chattin DriveCanton, GA 30115

Phone: [678] 493-4000Fax: [678] 493-4034

www.cherokeecountyfire.org

Office Hours: Monday through Friday8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Closed Saturday, Sunday and Holidays

The Fire WirePublished bi-monthly by the

Cherokee County Office of Fireand Emergency Services

Tim PratherFire Chief

Tim CavenderEditor

Eddie RobinsonAssistant Fire Chief

Rick RuhFire Marshal

Kevin BottsSupport Services Manager

Jill Mabley, M.D.,FACEPMedical Director

Page 2The Fire Wire

ABOUT THE COVER: Geor-gia Trend magazine recentlyrecognized Cherokee CountyFire and Emergency Servicesas being one of the best placesto work in Georgia Story on page 3

New Recruits Begin Training

The new recruits who have started training are: (First row- left to right)-Kevin Fox, Joshua Nealey, Casey Cannon, Destiny Labossiere, DanielThatcher and Todd Chadwick. (Second row - left to right) JamesPassmore, Paul Sansone, Doug Hocker, Cody Wilson, Scott Tipton,Terrell Long, Nick Durham and Thomas Howes. (Third row - left toright) Lt. Wesley Densmore (Training Officer), Kriszhian Kosiba, AdamElrod, Cesar Saavedra, Joel Sciranko, Joshua Capes, JohnMontague, Tyler Davidson, Kevin Hanson, Josh Warren and Sgt.Matthew Richter (Training Officer).

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services started its firstfirefighter recruitment class for 2011 on Monday, November 14th. Thetwenty three new recruits will go through sixty days of classroom andhands-on training.

This in depth course allows Cherokee County Fire and EmergencyServices to bring experienced as well as non-experienced individuals toour facilities and instruct them with the basics of firefighting and trainingthem to be aggressive and safe firefighters ready to work in differentfire related situations.

These new recruits will also participate in housework, apparatuschecks, physical fitness, in addition to

their fire schooling and drilling. Thisrigorous and extensive coursedemands self discipline andmotivation.

Page 3The Fire Wire

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services NamedOne of the Best Places to Work

Tammy McPherson (left), Administrative Assistant,Eddie Robinson, Assistant Fire Chief (center) andCaptain Ricky Collett (right) with the award fromGeorgia Trend magazine.

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services wasrecently recognized by Georgia Trend magazine asbeing one of the Best Places to Work in Georgia.

This is the sixth year that the magazine asked read-ers to nominate their companies for the award.According to the magazine, the readers told themthat they especially like the opportunity to do workthat is important and to have a say in how the workis done. They give high marks to working environ-ments that nurture and encourage them – andbosses who trust them.

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services wasrecognized for being in a hotspot of metro growthand almost doubling its staff in recent years coveringa population of 225,000 across 400 square miles.“What makes this organization the best is the bot-tom-up, values-based approach to leadership andtraining,” said Eddie Robinson, Assistant Chief.

Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, also said the success of the department is due to the hard workethic and devotion the employees have to the citizens of Cherokee County. “I’m really honored and ourleadership team works hard to keep employees happy,” stated Prather. “We had 11 employees retire, six ofthem chief officers last fall” he said. “There were some concerns with the change; but everyone has reallybeen stepping up. I think it’s made us a stronger organization.”

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services was one of fifteen organizations that were selected for theaward. The fire department was recognized for their success in the November issue of Georgia Trendmagazine.

Georgia Trend Magazines Announces Award Winners.....

Far and away the best prize that life offersis the chance to work hard

at work worth doing.

Theodore Roosevelt

Page 4The Fire Wire

Those receiving promotions include - Bottom row (left to right) – Sgt.Brady Cornelison, Sgt. Daniel Nash, Sgt. Matt Richter, Sgt. JeremyDilliard, Sgt. Kevin Duncan, Sgt. Chris Ginn, Sgt. Jason Williams andSgt. Joe Hollifield. Middle row (left to right) – Lt. Jason Lamanac, Lt.Chad Davis, Lt. Wesley Densmore, Lt. Scott Gwinn, Lt. Charles Reese,Lt. Sarah Love and Lt. Greg Blanton. Top row (left to right) – TimPrather (Cherokee County Fire Chief), Eddie Robinson (Assistant FireChief), Lt. Richard Jordan, Capt. Kevin Lanier, Shane West (BattalionChief), Lt. Jeremiah Robinson, Rick Ruh (Cherokee County Fire Mar-shal) and Danny West (EMS Chief).

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency ServicesPromotes Twenty

Twenty Cherokee Countyfirefighters were promoted todayduring ceremonies at the Chero-kee County Fire Training, locatedsouth of Holly Springs.

Cherokee County Training Chief,Eddie Robinson, was officiallyrecognized as the new AssistantFire Chief. Cherokee County FireChief, Tim Prather, said thatRobinson was the best selectionto be his right-hand man.Robinson will continue his dutiesas Division Chief of Operations.

Shane West was promoted as anew Battalion Chief. Lt. KevinLanier was promoted to the rankof Captain. The following ser-geants were promoted to the rankof lieutenants: Greg Blanton,Chad Davis, Wesley Densmore,Scott Gwinn, Richard Jordan,Jason Lamanac, Sarah Love (whois the first female to hold the rankof Lieutenant), Charles Reese andJeremiah Robinson.

Cherokee County firefighters thatwere promoted to the rank of sergeant included: Brady Cornelison, Jeremy Dillard, Kevin Duncan, ChrisGinn, Joe Hollifield, Daniel Nash, Matt Richter and Jason Williams.

Numerous firefighters, chiefs and family members attended the event. A lunch was held afterwards in honorof the promotions.

Page 5The Fire Wire

Running for Aleena MillerGuns and Hoses Run 2012

Aleena Miller visits the headquarters of CherokeeCounty Fire and Emergency Services in March of2011. Aleena died from Spinal Muscular Atrophy inSeptember of last year.

On Saturday, February 25th, Cherokee County Fireand Emergency Services will be running in memoryof Aleena Miller during the 6th Annual Gun andHoses 5 K Run. The run is sponsored by theCherokee County Recreation and Parks Agency andwill be held at Hobgood Park near Towne Lake.

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services andthe Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office normally solicitregistrations from runners to raise money for twocharities. This year, however, both agencies havedecided to combine their efforts and donate themoney from the race to the Hope and LightFoundation in memory of Aleena Miller. Runnersare asked to pick the team they want to run for,Guns or Hoses, and $5.00 of their registration feewill be donated to the charity.

The Hope and Light Foundation assist children withSpinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Spinal muscularatrophy is a genetically inherited neuromusculardisease characterized by progressive muscleweakness and atrophy. SMA occurs in about 1 inevery 6,000-10,000 births, regrettably qualifying it asthe number one genetic killer of babies and toddlersunder the age of two. Aaron and Stephanie Miller,formerly of Cherokee County, head up thefoundation. Their daughter, Aleena, had SMA andlost her battle to the disease onOctober 6th of this past year.

The event is open to the publicand registration fees are asfollows: 5K - Pre-Registration is

$25 and after February 3rd or on race day the fee increases to $30. Fun Run - Pre-Registration is $10 and after February 3rd or on race day, the fee is increased to$15. Online registration began Monday, November 28, 2011 as well as walk/mailin registration. Online registration closes on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at11:00 PM. After the 22nd, you must register on race day morning. * You may alsoregister by coming into the Recreation Center to fill out a registration form or mailing aregistration form and check to CRPA Attn: Kate Borden: 7545 Main Street Bldg 200Woodstock, Ga 30188. After online registration closes, you will have to register on race daymorning.

Please make all checks out to CRPA. For more information or to register on-line, please goto: gunshoses5kandfunrun.blogspot.com.

Page 6The Fire Wire

Santa Visits the Burn Center

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services collected $36,710.74 during the “Give Burns the Boot” drivethat was held recently in the county. The winner of the “Most Money Challenge” for Battalion 1 and 2 went to“A” shift this year!

The winners of the “Most Money Per Capita” are Lt. Jeff Adamek, Lt. Jason Lamanac, Sgt. Brandon Mann,Chris King, Brenden Hicks from station 24 (A shift) with $759.80 per firefighter. Station 3 and 32 (B shift) tiedwith $533.92 per firefighter. Personnel on duty from station 3 included Sgt. Brian Reece and Vincent Mullinsand from Station 32 it was Sgt. Bryan Thomas and Eric Sawyer. Capt. Mark Orr, Lt. Richard Jordan, andWilliam Crowley from Station 8 (C shift) had $299.78 per firefighter.

Funds from the boot drive assist many project sponsored by the Georgia Firefighter Burn Foundationincluding burn camp, burn centers, grants and education.

Congratulations to all of the winners of the “Challenge” this year!

Firefighters Collect Money forGive Burns the Boot

Cherokee County Fire and Emer-gency Services was again respon-sible for providing a visit fromSanta Claus for the patients andstaff at the Grady Hospital BurnCenter in downtown Atlanta onFriday, December 16th, 2011.

The Georgia Firefighters BurnFoundation provided lunch for thedoctors and nursing staff. Afterlunch, firefighters, nursing staffand members with the GeorgiaFirefighters Burn Foundationvisited patients at the center topresent gifts and sing Christmascarols.

Four firefighters with CherokeeCounty Fire and EmergencyServices volunteered to help with

Santa Claus visits with a patient at the Grady Hospital Burn Center indowntown Atlanta.

the Christmas celebration. Those in attendance were: Rebecca and Gary Strobl, who are volunteerfirefighters at Station 17 and Cherokee County firefighters Jon Gottfried and Jason Williams

Page 7The Fire Wire

Keeping the Wreath GreenCherokee County Fire and Emergency Serviceshoped to keep the lights on a Christmas wreath atthe Cherokee County Administrative offices and indowntown Ball Ground “green” this past holidayseason.

“Keep the Christmas wreath green” was a fireprevention awareness effort encouraging citizens toprevent fires during the holidays.

When a house fire occurred in Cherokee County, thedepartment replaced a green bulb with a red bulb.

When the month of December ended, 6 of the 50green bulbs were replaced with red ones. Each redbulb represented a house fire in Cherokee Countybetween December 1st - December 31st.

The program first began in 2010 and during that time21 of the green bulbs had been replaced. However,

last year, a bulb was replaced for every fire call that was received at the 911 center. The call could havebeen as major as a fully involved fire or as small as smoke coming from an electrical outlet. In 2011, adecision was made to replace a bulb if a fire caused major structural damage

“This is a great program to remind citizens to be safe during the holidays,” says Captain Chad Arp, SeniorFire Safety Educator with the Cherokee County Fire Department.

6th AnnualGuns and Hoses Run

February 25that Hobgood Park

Fun Run Start Time: 7:45am5K Start Time: 8:00am

sponsored by theCherokee County Recreation and Parks Agency

Page 8The Fire Wire

Chimney fires are often dramatic events, with flames and cinders leaping high enough to come to the atten-tion of neighbors and passersby. But they're not all like this. They can also burn quite slowly if they aren'tbeing fed by much air or fuel. These sleeper fires are no less dangerous than the more visibly dramaticones. They still reach high temperatures and can damage the chimney and nearby combustible parts of thehouse. The heat can be so intense that it can actually pick the mortar out from between bricks or stones.Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services offer these tips to keep you safe during the winter season.

Proper MaintenanceClean chimneys don’t catch fire. Make sure a certified chimney sweep inspects your solid fuel venting sys-tem annually, and cleans and repairs it whenever needed. Your sweep may have other maintenance recom-mendations depending on how you use your fireplace or stove. The Chimney Safety Institute of America(CSIA) recommends that you call on certified chimney sweeps, since they are regularly tested on theirunderstanding of the complexities of chimney and venting system.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is a non-profit educational foundation that has establishedthe only nationally recognized certification and accreditation program for chimney sweeps in the UnitedStates. The program was developed in keeping with the CSIA's commitment to the safety of chimney andventing systems and to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and otherchimney and vent-related safety hazards. The CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimneyservice professionals and other fire prevention specialists, and the insurance industry about the preventionand correction of chimney and venting system hazards.

Ways to Keep the Fire YouWant…from Starting One You Don’t!Chimney fires don’t have to happen. Here are some ways to avoid them. Use seasoned woods only (dry-ness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations). Build smaller, hotter fires that burnmore completely and produce less smoke. Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Christmas

trees; these can spark a chimney fire. Install stovepipe ther-mometers to help monitor flue temperatures when woodstoves are in use, so you can adjust burning practices as

needed. Inspect and clean catalytic combustors on a regularbasis, where applicable.

What to Do if You Have a Chimney FireIf you realize a chimney fire is occurring, follow these steps:- Get everyone out of the house, including yourself- Call the fire department if you can do so without risk toyourself. These additional steps may help save your home.Remember, however, that homes are replaceable, lives arenot.- Put a chimney fire extinguisher into the fireplace or wood

stove. Close the glass doors on the fireplace. Close theinlets on the wood stove. Use a garden hose to spray downthe roof (not the chimney) so the fire won’t spread to therest of the structure.

Preventing Chimney Fires