Senator Mark Pody to Host Meeting for Persons with Disabilities Seeking State Services

January 20, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

If you or a family member is not getting the information or services needed for a physical or mental disability, State Senator Mark Pody wants to hear from you.

Senator Pody will be hosting a public meeting Friday, January 24 at 10 a.m. at the County Complex for this purpose.

“If you or someone in your family has a physical or mental disability this is an opportunity for you to come and ask questions. I will have people from the state departments with me to answer your questions and try to get a handle on what services are available and how we can help if you or your family are not getting the services you need. We will be glad to sit down and talk to you about what is going on with you and then try to make life better for you,” said Pody.

Although the focus will be on disability, anyone is invited to ask questions or make comments on other issues or concerns.

January 20, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Volunteer Firefighter Tony Moore of the Cookeville Highway Station received the DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year Award Saturday night during the annual department awards banquet held at the County Complex.

The award was presented by Ed Massey of DTC and Captain Brian Williams of the DCFD.

This honor is exclusively based on hours of training completed by a rookie firefighter who finished his/her basic recruit training during 2019.

“The DeKalb County Fire Department has a rich legacy of being recognized for its excellent training programs. For the 11th consecutive year, the DCFD has received statewide recognition for being an elite training department. The department’s leadership feels basic and continuous training are the best tools to give rookies when they enter the fire service. Consequently, training is the sole criteria used for selecting the “Rookie of the Year”, said Captain Williams.

“We certainly want to recognize all members who have demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment to training. Today, we especially want to recognize this recruit for completing 159.33 hours of training during his 12-month rookie period,” said Massey.

Meanwhile, 28 firefighters were awarded the 2019 Safe Industries Training Achievement Awards. Safe Industries is a Tennessee fire equipment vendor.

Captain Brian Williams and Assistant Chief Anthony Boyd made the presentations.

Firefighters who excelled in participating in monthly training drills qualify for this honor. There are two levels of awards; 75% training attendance and 100% training attendance.

Members achieving 100% training attendance were Matt Adcock, Justin Bass, Jay Cantrell, Kim Cantrell, Herb Checci, Donny Green, Donnie Johnson, Dusty Johnson, Harley Lawrence, Andy Pack, Brent Reed, Brittany Reed, Steve Repasy, Robert Sartin, Brian Williams, Patrick Colwell, and Jordan Lader.

Members with 75% training attendance were Anthony Boyd, Bill Brown, Sandra Caffee, Blake Cantrell, Andrew Harvey, Kristie Johnson, Jody Lattimore, Michael Lawrence, Steven Lawrence, Calvin Tramel, and Cody Wagner.

January 19, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The 2019 Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Volunteer Firefighter of the Year is Steve Repasy, Station Commander of the Midway Station.

Repasy, who also claimed the honor in 2018, received the award Saturday night during the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Awards Banquet held at the DeKalb County Complex.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Dusty Johnson repeated as Liberty State Bank Officer of the Year and Bill Brown of the Liberty Station was selected to receive the Allen’s Allstars “Git R Done” Award. The DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year Award went to Tony Moore of the Cookeville Highway Station. The new Four Seasons Fire Station received the department’s first ever First Bank Station of the Year award.

Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor of the banquet.

Repasy received his Firefighter of the Year Award from presenters Brad Mullinax of Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and Assistant County Fire Chief Anthony Boyd.

In making the presentation, Mullinax said Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb is pleased to be the sponsor of the 2019 Firefighter of the Year Award and the honoree is exclusively selected from firefighters who were awarded “Firefighter of the Month” during 2019. Judges from the Spring 2019 Citizens’ Fire Academy scored the nominations based on the following considerations: Training participation, Community service, Special projects, and Actions/accomplishments that go above and beyond to promote the success and image of the department.

“Steve is no stranger to being recognized as one of the department’s top achievers and he continues to excel in all considerations used to evaluate the worthiness of earning this award. For 2019, Steve made 100% of his monthly training drills and also completed other outside training courses. He always has a positive “can-do” attitude. Whether it’s a work session, fire prevention/safety event, fundraiser, training, or fire call, you will see him there from start to finish. He does so much work behind the scenes that keeps the department running smoothly,” said Mullinax

“As for his community service, Steve is very active in the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, building wheelchair ramps for the needy, children’s reading programs at the library, and he is an active member of the Smithville Lion’s Club,” Mullinax continued.

“The DeKalb County Fire Department attempts to recognize firefighters who reflect a positive attitude of service to the department and our communities, and there is absolutely no doubt that Steve has earned the honor of being named the Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital 2019 Firefighter of the Year,” added Mullinax.