Friday, March 7, 2003
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Friday, March 7, 2003 |
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Peachtree City Fire Dept. Annual Awards and Officer's Installation By Sallie Satterthwaite
All year long, they wear work clothes, heavy protective coats, Star Wars-like masks, dirty boots. But late in January, they all firefighters, paramedics, rookies and officers undergo a Cinderella-like transformation. It's the Annual Peachtree City Fire Department Awards and Installation banquet. The men are sleek in suits and polished shoes. Some wear cummerbunds and dinner jackets. And the women! Ah, the women. Hair normally worn up for work is freed to cascade over bare shoulders. Slender cocktail dresses with spaghetti straps, carefully applied make-up, and glitter galore turn the women into visions of loveliness. So here they are, at the ball or rather, at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres, a sumptuous meal, and then, as names are called one by one, their peers recognize their year-long efforts. Who will get the glass slipper? Chief Stony Lohr commends the work of all members, career and volunteer as well. He recognizes career firefighters who have achieved milestone years in service and those who have certified in new levels of achievement. Special recognition goes to those who completed National Professional Quality courses and other training, both for firefighting and emergency medical skills. "The improvement list comes as a result of those persons completing schools and certifications," Lohr says. "The bottom line is that we are emphasizing and supporting training and education to improve our service to the community and to make our people more professional. I think we are doing well on that account." The annual awards went to the following: Volunteer Firefighter of the Year: Josh Crawford Career Firefighter of the Year: Clint Murphy Volunteer EMS Provider of the Year: Natalie Johnson Career EMS Provider of the Year: Joe O'Conor Volunteer Rookie of the Year: Gary Half Volunteer Officer of the Year: Sam King Career Officer of the Year: Dave Williamson Special appreciation in the form of floral arrangement was presented to Chief Lohr's wife, Dee, and to the department's secretarial staff, Maxine Barbour and Wendy Perritt. Medical adviser, Vicky Schuh, M.D., could not attend, but Lohr expressed his appreciation of her work with the department. In addition, Lohr remembered former firefighter Keith Holman, who died early in January, and introduced his widow, Susan, also once a volunteer and daughter of one of the department's founders, Jack Walls. This is the fifth year that the Rotary Club of Peachtree City has made a monetary gift to the fire department honoring their choice for Member of the Year. Tom Rolka, president-elect for 2003-2004, announced that Fred Bryant would receive that tribute for the second time. Bryant has been active in all areas of the department since joining in 1988. In 2002, Rolka said, Bryant attended 147 hours of training and responded to 96 calls. A member of the dive team, the HazMat team, and the honor guard, he also has done more than his share of work in the annual pumpkin sale, Santa Claus runs, recruiting and community events. "[Bryant's] participation, enthusiasm and leadership is appreciated," Rolka said, "and he has had a positive impact throughout the association and department." Because Bryant was not able to attend the dinner, his award was presented again at a regular Rotary Club meeting in February. Lohr swore in the association's new officers: President: Robin Laskey Vice-president: Natalie Johnson Secretary: Bill Gray Treasurer: Gary Half Fire Representative: Josh Crawford EMS Representative: Jeffery Felmet Guest speaker for the dinner was Michael Staley, an award-winning firefighter/paramedic in Florida until he was struck by several racecars while rendering assistance during a 1990 race at Daytona. Against all odds, he survived multi-system trauma and burns. "While he was not able to continue a career in the fire service," Lohr said, introducing Staley, "he has been able to teach, to guide, and to encourage many others that disasters and horrendous personal events can become the mechanism for even more miraculous improvements." Business and inspiration behind them, and midnight still ahead, it was time to strike up the music and let the dancing begin.
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