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Paulding County honors firefighters with Medal of Valor and celebrates recruit graduation
Summary
The Board of Commissioners presented a Medal of Valor and letters of commendation to firefighters involved in an April structure-fire rescue and celebrated the graduation of a recruit class that completed firefighter and EMT training.
Paulding County recognized firefighters for a life-saving rescue and celebrated the graduation of a new recruit class during the meeting.
Staff described an April 5 early-morning structure fire in which Engine 3 personnel located and removed an unconscious victim within about 60 seconds of making entry; the victim was transported to Cobb Hospital and discharged seven days later, staff said. Chief Brubaker presented a Medal of Valor and letters of commendation to Lieutenant OKeefe, firefighter Soto Plummer and firefighter-plumber (name in transcript unclear), and acknowledged Fire Apparatus Operator Alvin Powell (who could not attend). The chief said those crew members saved a life by rendering emergency care while others suppressed the fire.
Separately, the board celebrated a recruit graduation: presenters said the new firefighters completed a 16-week Firefighter I training block plus a 16-week advanced EMT program (about 32 weeks and "well over a thousand hours" of combined training). Several graduates were named in the transcript and the board presented a public-safety appreciation award to Lieutenant OKeefe and others.
Speakers repeatedly thanked public-safety personnel for their service. The transcript shows the awards presentation, the screening of a shortened ceremony video and remarks about the rarity of giving public commendations; no formal policy action or vote was recorded in the provided excerpt tied to the awards.
