Cherokee County
Fire & Emergency Services
Fire & Emergency Services
Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) proudly celebrated the graduation of twenty-three firefighter recruits during a ceremony held Friday evening at First Baptist Church of Woodstock.
This graduating class was especially significant, as nine of the twenty-three recruits are members of the Woodstock Fire Department (WFD). From the first day of recruit school, these firefighters trained alongside Cherokee County recruits at the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex in Holly Springs. The partnership reflects the strong working relationship between CCFES and WFD, whose personnel respond together every day through an automatic aid agreement that ensures the closest available resources are dispatched quickly when emergencies occur.
The ceremony began at 7:00 p.m. with welcoming remarks from Division Chief Shannon Gibbs, followed by an invocation delivered by Fire Chaplain Tom Johnson. Recruit Evan Arp performed the National Anthem, and the CCFES Honor Guard presented the colors.
Captain James Lussier introduced graduating recruits Brent Montean and Dustin Waters, who were selected by their classmates to serve as class spokespersons. During their remarks, they expressed gratitude to the training staff, instructors, and department leadership for their guidance and support throughout recruit school. They reflected on the challenges they overcame together and the transformation from a group of strangers into a cohesive team prepared to serve the citizens of Cherokee County.
Six awards recognizing outstanding achievement, leadership, and performance were presented during the ceremony:
Several members of the command staff from Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services and the Woodstock Fire Department addressed the graduating class, encouraging the recruits to embrace lifelong learning, support one another, and recognize the responsibility they now carry as the next generation of firefighters.
Woodstock Fire Chief Shane Dobson opened his remarks by thanking the elected officials in attendance for their continued support of the fire service and expressing his appreciation to Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services for its partnership in training Woodstock's newest firefighters. He reminded the graduates that everything they do matters and emphasized that their actions, professionalism, and commitment will have a lasting impact on those they serve. Chief Dobson also recognized the sacrifices made by the families of the graduates, thanking them for their support throughout recruit school and the career that lies ahead. He concluded by reminding the graduates that, on someone's worst day, they have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
Cherokee County Fire Chief Kevin Lanier congratulated the graduates and spoke about the responsibility that accompanies a career in the fire service. He recognized the instructors, support staff, county leadership, and elected officials whose continued commitment makes the recruit training program possible. Chief Lanier also thanked the families for the sacrifices they have made throughout the past nine months and those they will continue to make throughout each firefighter's career.
Addressing the graduates directly, Chief Lanier challenged them to consider what kind of firefighter they want to be when someone calls 9-1-1. He encouraged them to pursue excellence through continuous training, strong leadership, and selfless service, reminding them that they will work alongside some of the profession's finest firefighters and should seize every opportunity to learn from them as they grow both professionally and personally.
The newly sworn firefighters have completed nine months of rigorous training and earned credentials as Certified Firefighter II and Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians. They will begin field operations at fire stations throughout Cherokee County on Sunday, July 19th, 2026.
Graduating Recruits:
Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services: Davis Anderson, Evan Arp, Justin Beck, Lee Brock, Fletcher Bryant, Andrew Davey, Zachary Day, Sam McAllister, Brent Montean, Gavin Redd, Marlon Rosales, Dylan James Smith, Richard Smith, and Ryan Suppa.
Woodstock Fire Department: Kyle Brackett, Ben Darden, Malachi Gregory, Ethan Holland, Logan Hollandsworth, Ethan LaGasse, Cameron Rikard, Cole Samson, and Dustin Waters.