Volunteers honored for service to Fannin Co. Fire Department

  • Firefighter Mike Miller received a special award from Sid Turner of the Sons of the American Revolution.
    Firefighter Mike Miller received a special award from Sid Turner of the Sons of the American Revolution.
  • American Legion Commander Jim Callender, right, of Post 248 in Blue Ridge presented firefighter Mike Miller an award for his actions.
    American Legion Commander Jim Callender, right, of Post 248 in Blue Ridge presented firefighter Mike Miller an award for his actions.
  • Bill Marsh was honored for his years of service and many contributions to the Fannin County Fire Department. Presenting the award were, from left, Fire Chief Larry Thomas, Assistant Fire Chief Rob Ross, Marsh and Emergency Management Agency Director Patrick Cooke.
    Bill Marsh was honored for his years of service and many contributions to the Fannin County Fire Department. Presenting the award were, from left, Fire Chief Larry Thomas, Assistant Fire Chief Rob Ross, Marsh and Emergency Management Agency Director Patrick Cooke.
  • Bill Jones was honored Thursday night, December 12, for his dedication to the Fannin County Fire Department. He joined the public service organization in 1972 when it was the Civil Defense. He was presented the honor by Assistant Chief Rob Ross at the fire department’s annual Christmas dinner.
    Bill Jones was honored Thursday night, December 12, for his dedication to the Fannin County Fire Department. He joined the public service organization in 1972 when it was the Civil Defense. He was presented the honor by Assistant Chief Rob Ross at the fire department’s annual Christmas dinner.
  • Kevin Panter Insurance produces the blue 911 emergency address signs for area residents and then donates the proceeds from the sale of those signs to the Fannin County Fire Department. During the annual fire department dinner, a check for $6,000 was presented from the community effort. Shown are, from left, Austin Panter, Kevin Panter, Fire Chief Larry Thomas and Assistant Chief Rob Ross.
    Kevin Panter Insurance produces the blue 911 emergency address signs for area residents and then donates the proceeds from the sale of those signs to the Fannin County Fire Department. During the annual fire department dinner, a check for $6,000 was presented from the community effort. Shown are, from left, Austin Panter, Kevin Panter, Fire Chief Larry Thomas and Assistant Chief Rob Ross.
  • Jamie Hensley was named the Fannin County Fire Department’s Rookie of the Year.
    Jamie Hensley was named the Fannin County Fire Department’s Rookie of the Year.
  • Station Captain Melvin Turner, right, received the Officer of the Year award from Assistant Fire Chief Rob Ross. Turner is over Station 9 in Suches. He has been a volunteer with the Fannin County Fire Department since 1996.
    Station Captain Melvin Turner, right, received the Officer of the Year award from Assistant Fire Chief Rob Ross. Turner is over Station 9 in Suches. He has been a volunteer with the Fannin County Fire Department since 1996.
  • Jim Edelstein holds his recognition as the Fannin County Fire Departments’ Volunteer of the Year. Edelstein is based out of Fire Station 8.
    Jim Edelstein holds his recognition as the Fannin County Fire Departments’ Volunteer of the Year. Edelstein is based out of Fire Station 8.

    Bill Jones and Bill Marsh were honored for their many years of service to the Fannin County Fire Department last week at the organization’s annual Christmas dinner.

    Firefighters and county officials were joined by their guests for the event that included the annual awards ceremony, honoring outstanding efforts in a variety of categories.

    Jones joined the department in 1972 when it was still the Civil Defense. He has been a steadfast volunteer since and added an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification to his list of accomplishments in 2012.

    Marsh joined the Fannin department in 2002, having started his fire fighting career with the Miami-Dade Fire Department in 1960.

    Marsh was instrumental in the construction of Station 13 on Aska Road, having helped arrange the donation of land from the Claypool family and organizing countless fundraisers, Fire Chief Larry Thomas said.

    Both Jones and Marsh remain active with the fire department.

    Mike Miller was named Firefighter of the Year. Thomas credited Miller with more interior attacks than any other firefighter.

    Jim Edelstein was named Volunteer of the Year for the many contributions he makes to the department.

    Melvin Turner of Station 9 in Suches was selected as Officer of the Year.

    Jamie Hensley received the award as Volunteer of the Year. He graduated recruit training at this time last year as part of a class of 12 new firefighters. Thomas credited him for the number of calls he has answered and the chores he has done around the fire station.

    Hensley leaves “a big track” for others to follow with his attitude, Thomas said.

    Hensley said “I wish I’d done this 30 years ago,” after being presented the award.

    The Larry Waters rescue award went to a group of members credited with removing a person trapped in a car crash on Hardscrabble Road. Honored were:

    Becky Huffman, Ryan McDaris, Rob Ross, Evan McDaris, Nicholas Wollschlager, Bryan Herndon, Don Patterson, Shanon Beavers, Steve McCray, Mike Miller, Robert Poole; and,

    John Calvert, Britton Quintrell, Patrick Cooke, Trent Lowery, Mathew Karry, Justin Mathis, Bradley Beaver, Andrew Burnette, and Hunter Patterson.

    Also honored were Robert Poole as EMT of the Year and Eddie Hopkins as Paramedic of the Year.