Cherokee County
Fire & Emergency Services
Fire & Emergency Services
Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) held a ceremony for thirty-one graduates of the inaugural Citizen’s Fire Academy (CFA) at the Cherokee Fire Training Complex in Holly Springs, GA Thursday evening, May 16th.
The graduation began at 6:00 p.m. with a welcome from Senior Fire & Life Safety Educator, Lisa Grisham, and invocation by Fire Chaplain Tom Johnson. Our nation’s colors were presented by the CCFES Honor Guard and America the Beautiful was performed by the CCFES Pipes & Drums team.
A short video way played which featured photos and videos that were collected over the course of the program. Following the video, CFA participant Lori Flink spoke to the audience about her appreciation of the program.
CCFES Fire Chief Eddie Robinson was the next speaker to come to the podium. He thanked the fire department members involved in the CFA for their outstanding work planning and conducting the program. Robinson addressed the audience and the graduates, sharing the importance of the fire service partnering with the community so that they can better serve the citizens of Cherokee County. He assured the audience that CCFES is an aggressive fire department with members that are mission focused, guided by a set of core values: courage, commitment, and integrity. Robinson recognized the active and retired firefighters, law enforcement officers, 911 operators, and veterans for their service to their communities and our nation.
Chief Robinson presented the graduates with a certificate of completion and a challenge coin. Those that graduated the program were Robert Alford, Summer Chambers-Stewart, Makayla Coomer, Jason Cooper, Bonnie Devine, Todd Devine, Chad Eubanks, Larry Eubanks, Lori Flink, David Flink, Craig Gay, Ethan Hohman, Justin Holcomb, William Miller, Lynette Miller, Betty Miller, Brian Miller, Kamryn Newcomer, Louis Newcomer, Lorraine Pope, Anthoney Pope, Robert Routier, Earlene Shadburn, Mark Shadburn, Frieda Diane Slater, Matt Spawn, Bob Stier, Tina Thomason, Cindy Williams, Tom Williams, and Billy Wilson III.
These graduates completed eleven weeks of training and demonstrations which included fire behavior, interior search & rescue, emergency scene simulations, fire station & apparatus familiarization, EMS operations, E-911 & Emergency Management Agency operations, community risk reduction, fire investigations, and public relations. Each participant had the opportunity to become certified in CPR, AED, and Stop the Bleed.
About CCFES Citizens Fire Academy:
The Citizen's Fire Academy is a free, 33-hour program that provides a more in-depth understanding of the fire service and the many functions it serves within the community. This program includes a variety of presentations and hands-on activities taught by members of all ranks within the department. With the support of our community, we are achieving our mission: Work aggressively to preserve life and property, promote public safety, and foster economic growth in Cherokee County.
Learn more about the CFA here: https://cherokeecountyfire.org/_buttons/Citizens-Fire-Academy.php