Peachtree City's Fire and Rescue Department received a new honor recently as Peachtree City Rotary Club President Wilder Davis presented the first ever Rotary Club Member-of-the-Year Award to volunteer firefighter Robert Hebert.

At the department's annual installation and awards dinner, Davis told firefighters and their guests that Rotary inaugurated the award as a gesture of support. He drew parallels between the civic club and the fire department: "Both of our organizations are about service to the community, as well as concern for each others' welfare," he said.

Hebert, chosen for the Rotary honor by department officers, came to Peachtree City four years ago from his native New Orleans. His interest in the fire department was kindled by the volunteers' newsletter.

"I was looking for a way to contribute to the community, and decided to give that a shot," he said. His brother worked as a career firefighter in a combined department so he was familiar with the concept.

Hebert, who has completed his First Responder and First Class Firefighter certification, is single and works for Delta Air Lines as a maintenance coordinator.

Assistant Chief Sam King said Hebert is "extremely dedicated. He has probably grown and accomplished more in two years than a lot of people ever do.

"He has a very high call-response ratio, puts in a lot of extra effort, and has taken a lot of classes both here and at Forsyth [the state fire training academy]. He's very active in going out on calls, goes to training and business meetings, and partakes in a wide variety of department and association activities he just gets the job done. He's always there when you need him. I'd have to say he's the ultimate volunteer."

Davis also paid tribute to Arnold Cheek, a charter member of Rotary who never missed a meeting in 25 years, until his death in October. Cheek was well-known to the department, serving for many years during its formative years, and building its first communication system.

Other honorees chosen within the department on the basis of their dedication and dependability included:

Rex Old Rookie of the Year.

Eddie Ferguson, who joined the department the day he turned 18 and has led the department's Explorer Troop for 11 years Firefighter of the Year.

Tom Bowman EMT of the Year.

Bill Sawtelle Volunteer Officer of the Year.

Stony Lohr, who is coordinating the department's ambitious accreditation project Employee of the Year.