Fannin County honors past Fire Chiefs

Community, Fannin County EMA/EMS, Featured Stories
Fannin County, Georgia, Fire Department, Emergency Management Agency, EMA, EMS, Fire Chief, Past, Present, Honor, Recognize, Larry Thomas, Darrell Payne, Tony Petty, Jack Worthey, Larry Waters, Walter Taylor, Robert Graham, Chairman, Jamie Hensley, Post 2 Commissioner, Glenn Patterson

Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County Fire Department (FCFD) along with Fannin County EMA/EMS took time to recognize the past Fire Chiefs of Fannin County. 

“It is an honor to be a part of this with you guys,” Fannin County Chairman Jamie Hensley was present to give his thanks: “The hard work and dedication that you all put into even forming this and keeping it going throughout the years, you paved the way for all of us to be here.” 

Fannin County, Georgia, Fire Department, Emergency Management Agency, EMA, EMS, Fire Chief, Past, Present, Honor, Recognize, Larry Thomas, Darrell Payne, Tony Petty, Jack Worthey, Larry Waters, Walter Taylor, Robert Graham, Chairman, Jamie Hensley, Post 2 Commissioner, Glenn Patterson

Chairman Hensley expresses his thanks to emergency personnel both past and present.

Fannin County Post 2 Commissioner Glenn Patterson echoed Hensley’s sentiments, “You guys up there laid the foundation of what you see today. We do appreciate you all and what you built from the ground up. Your contributions are invaluable.”

Among those present to be recognized were Darrell Payne, Tony Petty, Jack Worthey, Larry Waters, Walter Taylor, and Robert Graham. Those that couldn’t be present for the event were Spencer Kitchens, Ryan McDaris and William Wright.

Current Fire Chief Larry Thomas thanked the previous fire chiefs, many of whom he had worked with, “I want to give my thanks to each and everyone of you all.” 

Thomas spoke of how their work and dedication helped to bring the department to where it is today.

Each one of the former Fire Chiefs spoke and it quickly became apparent that while they were given the title to lead the department, none felt they alone could take credit for how far the department has come.

The speeches quickly gave way to stories. The camaraderie of those working in emergency services showed as it was evident to everyone in the room, whether past or present, after serving your community you are always family.

Walter Taylor, Fannin County’s first official Fire Chief shared how, with the help of others, the first fire truck in Fannin County was built. According to Taylor it was a 1957 Chevrolet 6 cylinder: “We put two 500 gallon tanks on it.” 

Taylor also shared a personal experience where those presently working in public safety had been called in to aid him. He gave an emotional thank you to the ones who answered the call, crediting them with saving his life.

Larry Waters, former Fannin County Fire Chief, gave insight into being a Fire Chief before the department received funding for full-time staff, “While I was Fire Chief, I was working full time at Levis Strauss and Co. and during the daily activities Tony took over as assistant chief.”

Fannin County, Georgia, Fire Department, Emergency Management Agency, EMA, EMS, Fire Chief, Past, Present, Honor, Recognize, Larry Thomas, Darrell Payne, Tony Petty, Jack Worthey, Larry Waters, Walter Taylor, Robert Graham, Chairman, Jamie Hensley, Post 2 Commissioner, Glenn Patterson

Family and friends, along with emergency personnel, continue to share laughs and stories after the recognition ceremony.

Waters spoke of firefighters and emergency personal running concession stands, parking cars, and “whatever we could do to raise money” for equipment. He also spoke of the pride the department felt when their new used equipment would arrive.

Former Fire Chief Tony Petty gave advice to those new to the field, “To be a fireman you’ve got to want to help people” and added that everyone involved is what makes a successful department: “You can be the best Chief in the world but if you ain’t got good people under you, you ain’t got nobody. I couldn’t never done it without you (all the volunteers).”

 

“I come in as a paid Chief,” Jack Worthey, former Fire Chief and 40 year veteran in the field, said of his reluctance to be honored with the others, adding that it is an “honor to come in and appreciate what these men have done.”

Standing with the others and looking around the crowded room Worthy noted that it is a “privilege to be a firefighter”.

There was a noticeable sense of pride in the room as emergency personnel listened to the stories shared from the previous Fire Chiefs. A humble sense of pride not only in the work that they face day to day but also a pride to be a small part of a larger team that helped write the history of Fannin County and continues to shape the future.

Former Fire Chief Worthey came to Fannin County, after having worked with the DeKalb County Fire Department for 30 years and had this to say of Fannin County, “This is the best volunteer fire department in the state of Georgia.”

Conditions worsen during winter storm

Community, News

Blue Ridge, Ga. – Conditions are quickly worsening as a Winter Storm moves through our area. 

Snow began to fall in Fannin County early this morning and is expected to continue throughout most of the day. 

The Fannin County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) sent out a Nixle Alert at 9:03 a.m. warning drivers to stay off of roadways if at all possible.

Roads are extremely slick with ice under snow. Please stay in if at all possible.

Road crews are working to clear roads but at this time most roads are extremely slick due to snow and ice. Wet pavement under the snow has turned to ice in many areas throughout the county.

Fannin County EMA Director Robert Graham updated FYN on the conditions in our area. 

“The pavement was wet when the snow started falling, so the wet areas on our roadways have turned to ice,” Graham explained the situation.

Graham went on to say that he is in contact with Public Works Director Zack Ratcliff: “Zack has crews out now and they are working as fast as they can to try to clear the roads.”

Public Works crews are out on roads throughout the county scraping and salting, but with the ice forming underneath the snow it will be much more difficult to get roads cleared.

According to Graham there are several vehicular wrecks in our area with many of these being along Highway 5. Graham was unsure of the severity of all the accidents at this time, but did state that the majority of wrecks have been people sliding off the roadways and into ditches.

“Many of the roads have become or are becoming impassable,” Graham said, adding, “We are having to shut some of them down.”

Graham urges residents to please stay off the roadways at this time and allow crews to try to clear as much as possible.

FYN will bring your updates throughout the day as they become available.

Special Recognition given by Board of Education

Community, Fannin County EMA/EMS, Rebel's Corner
Fannin County School System

Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County Board of Education took time at their Feb. monthly meeting to give special recognition to those who have positively impacted the school system recently.

First to be recognized was West Fannin Elementary School (WFES) First Grade teacher Katy Roberson and  WFES Student Governance Team member Jocelyn Miller for their work which has brought state and national attention to the Fannin County School District.

What all began with the reading of a book, Stellaluna, to a class, has become an ongoing project that is now in its third year.

A former student of Roberson told her of a “bat house” that they have at home and from there the project evolved.

“She (Roberson) was able to take the concept of bats and integrate all of the subjects into it and the kids were basically learning math. They were reading. They were doing science, all through the lens of bats,” Miller spoke of the teacher’s work with children.

Miller, who is now going for her doctoral degree, along with Roberson wrote an article about the project titled “At Home with Bats”. This article was published in the National Science Teachers Association peer-reviewed journal “Science and Children”.

Since then the article has gone on to be published on university websites, garnering even more attention for education in our area.

Next to be recognized for their work with the school system was Fannin County’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

Through their Stop the Bleed Campaign, Fannin County EMA Director Robert Graham, Fannin County Training Officer Ryan McDavis, and EMS Child Advocate Rebecca Huffman were all recognized for the work put into training staff of the school district.

Stop the Bleed is a program set in place by the American College of Surgeons and works to train people worldwide on how to stop bleeding in a severely injured person. 

After training, the school district received several Stop the Bleed kits which have been put in place not only in the schools but also on every bus, along with a standard first aid kits.

Fannin County School System Director of Transportation Denver Foster called these kits, “a little bag with a lot of life saving power in it”.

Foster also thanked Fannin County’s EMA/EMS for their ongoing role in working with the school system to provide safety to its students on a daily basis.

 

 

Click here to read about those honored at last month’s meeting.

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 6/30 – 7/6

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

June 30, 2019 thru July 6, 2019 Responses

M1: 32
M3: 13
M4: 21
M11: 36

Total: 102

Law: 397
Fire: 6
Rescue: 29

Total Emergency Calls: 509

Total Incoming Phone Calls (911 and Admin): 1037

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 6/9 – 6/15

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

June 9, 2019 thru June 15, 2019 Responses

M1: 43
M3: 12
M4: 36
M11: 40

Polk Co. EMS: 2

Total: 133

Law: 353
Fire: 4
Rescue: 41

Total Emergency Calls: 492

Total Incoming Phone Calls (911 and Admin): 1027

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 4/28 – 5/4

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

April 28, 2019 thru May 4, 2019 Responses

M1: 28
M3: 13
M4: 19
M11: 27

Total: 87

Law: 373
Fire: 10
Rescue: 30

Total Emergency Calls: 482

Total Phone Calls to 911 Center (Emergency and Admin): 1947

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 5/5 – 5/11

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

May 5, 2019 thru May 11, 2019 Responses

M1: 35
M3: 11
M4: 25
M11: 25

Polk County: 1

Total: 97

Law: 403
Fire: 7
Rescue: 27

Total Emergency Calls: 507

Total Incoming Phone Calls (911 and Admin): 983

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 5/12 – 5/18

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

May 12, 2019 thru May 18, 2019 Responses

M1: 41
M3: 21
M4: 27
M11: 35

Total: 124

Law: 380
Fire: 8
Rescue: 30

Total Emergency Calls: 507

Total Incoming Phone Calls (911 and Admin): 857

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 4/21 – 4/27

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

April 21, 2019 thru April 27, 2019 Responses

M1: 39
M2: 1
M3: 9
M4: 19
M11: 31

Total: 99

Law: 346
Fire: 13
Rescue: 38

Total Emergency Calls: 462

Total Phone Calls to 911 Center (Emergency and Admin): 1781

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 3/24 – 3/30

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 24, 2019 thru March 30, 2019 Responses

M1: 29
M3: 12
M4: 25
M11: 28

Gilmer: 1
Union: 1

Total: 96

Law: 384
Fire: 12
Rescue: 23

Total Emergency Calls: 497

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 4/14 – 4/20

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

April 14, 2019 thru April 20, 2019 Responses

M-1. 31
M-3. 8
M-4. 17
M-11. 27
Total. 83 EMS Calls

Other totals are not available at this time.

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 3/3 – 3/9

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
181 Church St.
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 3, 2019 thru March 9, 2019 Responses

M1: 34
M3: 12
M4: 28
M11: 21

Total: 95

Law: 319
Fire: 7
Rescue: 19

Total Emergency Calls: 433

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report 03/17 to 03/23

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 17, 2019 thru March 23, 2019 Responses

M1: 33
M3: 9
M4: 29
M11: 24

Total: 95

Law: 368
Fire: 12
Rescue: 25

Total Emergency Calls: 477

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 3/10 – 3/16

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 10, 2019 thru March 16, 2019 Responses

M1: 47
M3: 13
M4: 31
M11: 22

Total: 113

Law: 359
Fire: 10
Rescue: 28

Total Emergency Calls: 505

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report 12/30 – 1/5

Fannin County EMA/EMS

From: Director Robert Graham
181 Church St.
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

December 30, 2018 thru January 5, 2019 Responses

M1: 43
M3: 19
M4: 28
M11: 38

Union EMS: 1

Total: 129

Law: 332
Fire: 7
Rescue: 42

Total Emergency Calls: 460

Total Calls: 1589

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 2/17 – 2/23

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
181 Church St.
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

February 17, 2019 thru February 23, 2019 Responses

M1: 45
M3: 26
M4: 35
M11: 24

Polk County EMS: 1

Total: 131

Law: 246
Fire: 6
Rescue: 24

Total Emergency Calls: 382

 

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