January 17, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Fire Department reached new heights in service to the community in the year 2020 and Chief Donny Green highlighted them during the annual awards program Saturday evening held in a virtual setting this year due to COVID-19.
For the 12th consecutive year, the department was recognized as among the elites in Tennessee for outstanding training achievement.
“Of the 732 fire departments in Tennessee, both volunteer and career, the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department ranked # 22 for 2019-20 training achievement by the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy. Among volunteer departments in the state, the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department ranked # 1,” said Chief Green.
Other achievements included the following:
*The department’s recruitment success was excellent in 2020. There were 39 new members added to the roster.
*In March the department sent a team to Putnam County to assist with the tornado search and recovery efforts.
“In August, the department was awarded a $427,360 Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). Also, in August, Blake Cantrell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant to serve on the county-wide leadership team.
*In September, the department was awarded a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $339,518 to purchase a new fire tanker truck.
*In November, the County Commission approved the purchase of two used fire engines to update the county-wide fleet.
*During Thanksgiving and Christmas, several of the department’s members participated in the DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA) meal preparation and delivery efforts for needy and underserved DeKalb County residents.
“For the year, the 81-member department donated a total of 8,866.53 hours responding to calls, attending training, participating in work sessions and fundraising events, and attending administrative meetings and special events. To put that in perspective, that’s 109.46 hours per member,” said Chief Green.
“We are extremely proud of every member of our department for their personal sacrifice; and not only their personal sacrifice, but the sacrifice and support it takes from their families to allow them to serve. It takes a very dedicated individual to step up to the task and demands of being a volunteer firefighter in this department. Because of the support from our award sponsors, we have this opportunity to recognize and reward those who have achieved excellence so that others can clearly see our department’s mission in action,” added Chief Green.
Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor of the awards program