It obviously takes more than a five-hour power outage to keep Jones County First Responders from their annual appreciation banquet.
Fire and Rescue volunteers gathered at Bradley Baptist Church Saturday evening for an event that was especially important, following a year already filled with transitions in leadership and the structure of the department.
When the power went out at 3 p.m. and not projected to come back on until 8 p.m., the volunteers got to work gathering lights and generators. At 5 p.m., first responders and their families filed into the auditorium, and the program began.
The program agenda included service awards and promotions, one of which was the official naming of Thomas Coleman from interim chief to Jones County Fire Chief. Jones County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Weidner made the announcement near the conclusion of the program without the prior knowledge by the recipient. Board Vice Chairman Commissioner Sam Kitchens and Commissioner John Wood were also in attendance.
When Coleman opened the Aug. 3 meeting, the room was lighted with bright lights that were generator powered, and the seafood buffet was prepared by Gay’s Food from Moultrie without delay.
Coleman gave opening comments, speaking about Jones County Fire and Rescue volunteers who he said have grown in numbers, wisdom and age.
“The sacrifices you make on a daily basis, who else would do that for a pat on the back or a simple thank you?” he asked. “You all do that, so keep your heads held up high. You can be proud of yourself for doing what few in the world would do.”
Coleman said there are two things fireman hate – change and the way things are. He said he was given the opportunity to lead by the commissioners.
“My goal is not to leave things the same but also not to make critical changes. My plan is to make improvements. I created an atmosphere with some chosen individuals who have assisted me in improving what our predecessors have left us. By doing so, I believe we can continue to make Jones County the best volunteer organization in the state,” he said.
Coleman said for the improvements, there are ‘have tos,’ ‘need tos’ and ‘want tos.’ He said some of the ‘have tos’ came about May 1, along with streamlining communication up and down the chain.
He said Deputy Chief Tony Griffin has been making best practices guidelines that the department needs to continue its operation. He said the ‘need tos’ include part-time positions around the clock.
“Just remember, they are not there to replace you, but to support you. Now you can go to the scene first, knowing there is a unit in route,” he said.
Coleman said, since that had started, response times have been cut in half. He said now they are making it there in six to nine minutes.
“We are setting the bar.” He said the ‘want tos’ from him include being more involved in the community. He thanked the commissioners for their support and Bradley Baptist for hosting the event.
At the conclusion of the meal, Lt. Steve Hall talked about the memorial climb up Stone Mountain Sept. 11.
Hall said the climb is a time to interact with other departments and the general public. He said it was a time to explain how the losses on Sept. 11, 2001, affected first responders. The lieutenant noted that 343 firefighters, 74 law enforcement officers and 400 additional first responders were lost that day in addition to the 2,700 civilians.
He said this is the 10th year for the memorial climb and the fourth year Jones County has joined.
Hall said the climb begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 11.
“We do this in unity and in remembrance of those we lost on 9/11,” he said.
He asked anyone wanting to join the climb to let him know the Monday prior to the event so he could send a count to event organizers. Last year, he said more than 22 departments were represented.
Karen McMichael spoke about her new role as EMA Director. McMichael was set to retire with Chief Don Graham but stepped up to fill the role as EMA Director when Coleman was selected as chief. She received her Emergency Management certification last year.
“We decided to do it together,” she said.
Service awards were presented by Coleman and McMichael, and then the program moved to promotions. Weidner stepped up at the end of that portion of the program to present Coleman with the Fire Chief helmet.
“You have talked about having these guys’ backs; the county has your back,” the chairman said.
Weidner said commissioners from other counties always ask how they came up with the idea for the reorganization of the department.
“I tell them it wasn’t our idea; it was yours,” he said.
Coleman said it is a privilege to step into the leadership role. He said he feels his role is that of a training officer, and when he has nothing more to add, he will hand it off to the next leader.
In his closing statements, he said three-ring binders had been placed in every station with new vision and mission statements.
The chief concluded by reading those statements.
The vision statement: “to protect and serve our community through a dedicated team of parttime and volunteer firefighters committed to excellence.”
The mission statement: “to protect and serve our community through rapid response, effective fire suppression and emergency services, ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, provided by a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers.”
Promotions • Sergeants: Station 2, Troy Hubbard; Station 12, Hunter Wynn • Lieutenant: Station 8, Robbie Kern • Captains: Station 2, Sean Story; Station 6, Robbie Herndon; Station 8, James Carpenter; Station 10, Brandon Eavenson; Station 12, Jon Harrison • Chiefs: Chief Thomas Coleman; Deputy Chief Tony Griffin; Division Chiefs Greg Beni, Gary Harrell; Battalion Chief John Shipley
Service awards • 5years: Bryant Leggett, Station 3; Amanda Bradford, Katelyn Bradford, John Peterson, Station 5; Melissa Jones, Ciera Pettway, Joey Pettway, Station 6; Chris Criswell Station 12 • 10 years: Michael Akins, Collins Hanson, Jacob Harrell, Susan Rowland, Station 8; Ed Barnwell Headquarters • 15 years: Sheila Parker, Brian Parker, Station 1; Brandon Eavenson, Station 10; Mac Roberts, Station 10; Mac Roberts, Station 6, Cody Spires, Station 8 and Don Graham • 20years: Wesley Griswell, Station 4 • 25years: Thomas Coleman, Chief; Jason McMichael, Station 3; Troy Hubbard, Station 2 • 40years: Frank Harker, Station 5
