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February 2026 Department Newsletter No. 007

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Survivor Isn’t Given. It’s Taken.

Congratulations to Lt. Sam Lindsey for being named Survivor of the Year at the SCBA Survivor Course (“Baby Smoke Diver”) in Columbus, Georgia

This grueling three-day course is designed to push firefighters to their limits mentally, physically, and emotionally. It is not easy. It is not comfortable. And it is not for everyone Participants are tested under air, under stress, and under pressure to see who has the grit to keep moving forward when everything says stop

Lt Lindsey didn’t just complete the course he stood out Being named Survivor of the Year speaks to his toughness, discipline, and refusal to quit We are proud of the way he represented this department and the standard he continues to set.

Outstanding work, Lieutenant Well earned

Welcome to the Team!

We’re excited to welcome Matthew Reiman to the department Matthew joins us from Orlando, Florida, and recently relocated to Georgia where he successfully completed his bachelor’s degree in biology congrats! He brings 4.5 years of experience from Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services and is currently an AEMT, with plans to attend paramedic school in the future

Matthew has been married for eight years and is a proud dad to two daughters, ages five years and five months A fun fact he’s been an ice hockey fan for the past 28 years! We’re glad to have you on board, Matthew, and look forward to working with you

Anniversaries

Act Battalion Rick Thompson - 20 yrs of service

FF Garrett Manley - 4 years of service

FF Justin Armistead - 4 years of service

Lieuitenant Jason Champion - 9 years of service

FF Sam Hopper - 5 years of service

FF Charlie Perdue - 5 years of service

Behind the Scenes: Safety in the Spotlight

Fire Marshal Bill and Captain Peckham were hard at work serving as Fire Safety Officers during the Turning Point Halftime Show filming, overseeing indoor fireworks and pyrotechnics operations Their professionalism and attention to detail ensured the production was both exciting and safe from start to finish Great work representing the department behind the scenes!

Birthdays

Battalion Chief Jeff Gable 2/1

FF Brad Partridge 2/4

FF Chris Compton 2/11

Recruit Josiah Ray 2/14

FF Alex Snider 2/20

FF Garrett Manly 2/25

FF Devin Morris 2/28

January Station Statistics

STATION 91

Station 91 responded to 191 calls for service

Average Response Time: 5:13

Turnout Time: 1:01

STATION 92

Station 92 responded to 76 calls for service

Average Response Time: 4:52

Turnout Time: 1:01

STATION 93

Station 93 responded to 138 calls for service

Average Response Time: 06:28

Total Time: 1:31

GUNS & HOSES: A-SHIFT CAME TO REPRESENT

A-Shift didn’t just attend the Guns & Hoses Chili Cookoff they came to win.

FF Freeman brought the heat and walked away with the trophy after a tight 95–92 victory over PD

That’s not just a win that’s bragging rights secured The chili was dialed in, the competition was fierce, and when the votes were counted, Fire stood on top

And the setup? Next level A-Shift got innovative, using hose to secure the fire flags practical, tactical, and 100% firefighter style Clean, sharp, and unmistakable They didn’t just show up they represented Chili champs Creative edge Department pride on full display Well done, A-Shift!

A Message From the Chief

Enjoy the warmth without the risk. Never leave candles unattended, keep them clear of decorations, and use space heaters safely with 3 feet of clearance Turn them off when you leave because fire safety is always in season

February may be a shorter month, but the work we do never slows down I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community every day Your ability to adapt, respond, and support one another is what defines this department.

As we move deeper into the year, I encourage everyone to stay focused on training, readiness, and safety both on duty and off Taking care of ourselves and each other is just as important as taking care of those we serve.

I am proud of the work being done across all divisions and grateful for the teamwork that makes our success possible Let’s keep building momentum as we move forward together Stay safe, stay sharp, and look out for one another

Chief Black

Policy Spotlight

Policy 321 provides guidance for department personnel on balancing emergency mitigation with preserving potential evidence at incident scenes. Whether responding to fires, assaults, suicides, traffic collisions, or industrial accidents, members must stay alert to the presence of evidence and make reasonable efforts to avoid disturbing it Scenes are categorized as stable or unstable, and entry decisions should reflect safety needs and investigative priorities When immediate action is needed to preserve life or property, members may intervene but must document any items moved and notify investigators. Medical debris should be left in place unless hazardous. All personnel are encouraged to review Policy 321 to stay sharp on responsibilities when operating in and around potential crime scenes

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