The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department named Robert Sartin its 2015 Firefighter of the Year Saturday night.
Sartin, of the Main Station, was presented the award by Captain Anthony Boyd at the annual fire department banquet at the county complex.
Other awards went to Captain Jay Cantrell, who was named 2015 Officer of the Year. Station Commander Andy Pack of the Belk Station took the 2015 "Git R Done" award. The Rookie of the Year honor went to Matt Adcock of the Belk Station.
The Firefighter of the Year Award goes to the fireman with the most outstanding fire call response record, training attendance, and participation in community service.
"The fire calls and training attendance stand for themselves," boyd told the assembly. "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. 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."
The Officer of the Year Award goes to the officer of the department for achievement 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," Chief Donny Green said in presenting the award. "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."
The Git R Done Award goes to a department member who excels in call response and training attendance.
"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," Cantrell said before presenting the award. "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."
The "Rookie of the Year Award" is based on hours of training. In presenting the award, Assistant Chief/Training Officer David Agee said Adcock had exceeded his required training as a rookie.
"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. 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."
The following members were presented pins recognizing their years of service to the department:
• Five years of service: Jacob Bond (Short Mtn. Hwy. Station) and Andy Pack (Station Commander of the Belk Station).
• Fifteen years of service: Captain Jay Cantrell and Anthony Johnson (Liberty Station).
• Forty 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.
"We like to recognize people who have made significant and long-lasting contributions to our department, and these two individuals have absolutely done this," Williams said.
The department presented 33 members with the "Jamboree Backdraft" award for going above and beyond the call of duty in making the 2015 Jamboree Food Booth fundraiser a success.
The chief also thanked individuals and businesses who support the department, including the Review, WJLE radio, participants in the 2015 Citizens’ Fire Academy classes, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, DeKalb Tire and Service, DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, the local Red Cross, Tim’s Truck Service, the Tennessee Division of Forestry, Mayor Tim Stribling and his office staff, and the DeKalb County Commission.
The naming of a new officer capped the event. Station Commander Jeremy Neal was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
Comedian Jim Gossett provided entertainment for the dinner.
