The 2015 DeKalb County Volunteer Firefighter of the Year is Robert Sartin of the Main Station
Sartin received the award Saturday night during the Department’s Annual Awards Banquet held at the DeKalb County Complex.
Meanwhile, Captain Jay Cantrell was named the DeKalb County Fire Department’s 2015 Officer of the Year and Andy Pack, Station Commander of the Belk Station, received the Department’s 2015 “Git R Done” award. The “Rookie” award went to Firefighter Matt Adcock of the Belk Station.
Sartin was nominated and received the Firefighter of the Year Award taking into consideration his fire call response, training attendance, and community service participation. “The fire calls and training attendance stand for themselves. He excelled in both of those areas. As for his community service, Robert has demonstrated outstanding community service by participating in fire prevention and education activities throughout the year,” said Captain Anthony Boyd in presenting the award. “The DeKalb County Fire Department attempts to recognize firefighters who reflect a positive image of the department in the community, and there’s absolutely no doubt that Robert has earned the honor of being named DeKalb County Fire Department’s 2015 “Firefighter of the Year”, said Captain Boyd.
Captain Cantrell earned the “Officer of the Year Award” for his achievements in training attendance, incident response, and community service. “Jay demonstrated an outstanding level of community service to our department and our citizens by sacrificing countless hours of his time and skills to oversee the maintenance our entire fleet of vehicles and 11 buildings across the county. Jay’s exceptional level of volunteer service saves DeKalb County’s citizens thousands of dollars every year, and our firefighters always know our equipment is ready to go on the next call,” said Chief Donny Green in presenting Captain Jay Cantrell the award.
The “Git R Done Award” goes to a firefighter who demonstrates exceptional sacrifices by going above and beyond responding to calls and attending training. “Firefighter Pack has led his station in fundraising successes and built strong community relations by planning and organizing events within his community that enhance fire prevention and safety. Andy’s commitment to sacrifice his personal time while leading with a positive “Git R Done” attitude, clearly shows why he is being recognized as our 2015 recipient of this award,” said Captain Jay Cantrell in making the presentation to Andy Pack.
Firefighter Matt Adcock was presented the “Rookie of the Year Award” based on his hours of training. ” This award goes to a firefighter who completed his/her basic recruit training during 2015. The department feels that the most important thing we can do for our new recruits is to give them basic training and reinforce the importance of training. Consequently, training is the sole criteria used in the “Rookie of the Year” selection,” said Assistant Chief/Training Officer David Agee who presented the award. “From January through December 2015, Matt had 247.17 hours of training, including completion of the 64 hour Basic Firefighter Training. In addition to his Basic Recruit training, he has completed extra training to improve his firefighting skills. “We certainly want to recognize recruits who demonstrate an outstanding level of commitment to training. Our department is fortunate to have an excellent group of recruits who have contributed to our department being recognized with elite training awards for 7 consecutive years. We are proud of all of them and we are honored to name Firefighter Matt Adcock as our “Rookie of the Year” for 2015,” said Asst. Chief Agee.
Lieutenant Brian Williams recognized and presented the following 5 members with pins for their years of service:
*5 years of service: Jacob Bond (Short Mtn. Hwy. Station) and Andy Pack (Station Commander of the Belk Station) Bond was unable to attend the banquet.
*15 years of service: Captain Jay Cantrell and Anthony Johnson (Liberty Station). Johnson was unable to attend.
*40 years of service: Jerry Wayne Johnson (Station Commander of the Liberty Station)
Honorary Lifetime Member Jeff Williams presented Station Commander Jeremy Neal and Joe Johnson with Honorary Lifetime Membership awards.
Neal, a newly appointed Lieutenant and former Station Commander at the Blue Springs Station, has been a member for 10 years. “He has provided significant contributions to building renovation and construction projects,” said Williams.
Johnson a current county commissioner and Chairman of the Emergency Services Committee, was recognized and awarded for previous service with the department. “He previously served nearly 10 years on the Cookeville Highway and Short Mountain Highway stations while he provided maintenance and service on the department’s fleet. Most recently, Johnson volunteered to design and install a new generator at the department’s Main Station. We like to recognize people who have made significant and long-lasting contributions to our department and these two individuals have absolutely done this,” said Williams.
Thirty three individuals of the department were recognized with “Jamboree Backdraft” awards for going above and beyond in the Department’s 2015 Jamboree Food Booth fundraiser.
Chief Green recognized partners who have provided special support to the department during the year. The DeKalb County Fire Department’s Spring and Fall 2015 Citizens’ Fire Academy classes, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, DeKalb Tire and Service, DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC), the local Red Cross representatives, WJLE Radio Station, the Smithville Review Newspaper, Tim’s Truck Service, the Tennessee Division of Forestry, Mayor Tim Stribling and his office staff, and the DeKalb County Commission.
To conclude the ceremony, Chief Green officially announced a recent officer selection. Station Commander Jeremy Neal has been promoted to the rank Lieutenant.
The DeKalb County Fire Department’s Annual Awards Banquet began with a delicious meal and entertainment from Jim Gossett, a comedian and celebrity impressionist. Approximately 175 people were in attendance including firefighters, their families, local and state officials, graduates of the 2015 Citizens’ Fire Academies (Spring and Fall session), and community partners. County Fire Chief Donny Green presided over the ceremony.
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