Franklin, TN – The Franklin Fire Department celebrated the dedication, bravery, and service of its personnel at the 2024 Awards & Badge Pinning Ceremony on March 27 at Rolling Hills Community Church. The event recognized promotions, new firefighters, and extraordinary acts of valor and lifesaving efforts. Tom Lawrence, Morning Show Host of Franklin and Williamson County's hometown radio station, WAKM 950 AM, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Fire Chief Glenn Johnson and Deputy Chief Andy King presented awards to outstanding members of the department, partner agencies, and civilians. Watch the ceremony online, HERE.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CEREMONY

Medal of Valor – Lieutenant Jeff Boggs

For the first time in 15 years, the Medal of Valor was awarded to Lieutenant Jeff Boggs for his extraordinary act of heroism. On January 24, 2024, while fighting a house fire on Cambridge Place, Lt. Boggs rescued Firefighter-Paramedic Tyler Chatham, who became trapped after falling through a collapsed floor. Lt. Boggs’ quick actions ensured Chatham’s safety, preventing a potential tragedy.

Thales Academy Phoenix and Civilian Lifesaving Awards

In 2024, Franklin Fire Department personnel earned Phoenix Awards in eight incidents for successfully reviving cardiac arrest patients. One remarkable case involved five-year-old Ava, who suffered cardiac arrest at Thales Academy on November 22, 2024. School staff, recently trained by Firefighter-Paramedic Bradley Kamau, performed CPR until FFD arrived, helping save her life. Ava and her mother, Tori Giannotti, attended the ceremony, where Kamau helped present the Civilian Lifesaving Award to Thales Academy staff Heather DiMeo, Jenny Lutkins, Lulu Marin, and Amber Kreeger, along with Giannotti. Phoenix Award recipients from FFD included Lieutenant-Paramedic Dustin Anderson, Lieutenant Jeff Boggs, Lieutenant Kyle McMahon, Engineer Daniel Burke, Firefighter Hayden Hoffman, Firefighter Kainan Johnson, Firefighter John McCombs, and Firefighter-Paramedic Matthew Thomas.

OTHER AWARDS AND HONOREES

Maury County Tornado Response – May 8, 2024

• Unit Citation for Valorous Conduct: These Franklin firefighters were recognized for rescuing a critically injured victim from a collapsed home and recovering a deceased family member with respect and care: Battalion Chief Tyler Crews, Captain Matthew Stout, Engineer Daniel Burke, Engineer-Paramedic Joseph Burwell, and Firefighter Austin Bradley.
• Exemplary Service Award, Hazardous Conditions:  These Franklin firefighters were recognized for their critical role in supporting emergency operations during the tornado response: Lieutenant-Paramedic Shawn Donovan, Engineer-Paramedic Chris Daniel, and Firefighter Shawn Kautz.

Unit Citation for Valorous Conduct – House fire rescue

• This team was recognized for rescuing a man from a burning home on Heritage Court on May 22, 2024: Lieutenant-Paramedic James Gambill, Lieutenant Richard Hasley, Engineer Brian Daugherty, Firefighter Jacob Blaznek, Firefighter David Konstant, Firefighter Hayden Sorrell, Firefighter-Paramedic Daniel White, Firefighter Joshua Cole, and Firefighter Tyler Barnes. 

Meritorious Service Award – Apartment fire rescue

• This team was recognized for rescuing a woman from an apartment fire on September 19, 2024, at 101 Gillespie Drive: Lieutenant-Paramedic Aaron Sherwood, Engineer Dennis Nealy, Engineer Emily Nelms, Firefighter Steven Holmes, Firefighter-Paramedic Tyler Pratt, and Firefighter Hunter Tenpenny.

Additional Phoenix and Civilian Lifesaving Awards – Awarded to those who help bring cardiac arrest patients back to life.

• March 22, 2024: Captain Kyle Bess, Engineer Jason Bizwell, Firefighter Matthew Cheatham, and Firefighter-Paramedic Sean Norton.
• April 3, 2024: This incident highlights the power of teamwork in emergency response. Honorees include Franklin Police officers who arrived first at a medical emergency and immediately initiated CPR. Their quick actions, followed by Franklin Firefighters’ advanced care, led to a successful resuscitation: Franklin Police Sergeant Kenneth Gibbs and Master Patrol Officer David Edwards, and FFD Lieutenant-Paramedic Brian Brandon, Lieutenant Todd Wilson, Engineer Andrew Adams, Firefighter Andrew Bowden, Firefighter Dayton Hendrix, Firefighter-Paramedic Bradley Kamau, and Firefighter Luke Smith.
• May 3, 2024: Firefighter-Paramedic Kevin Davenport, Firefighter Brad Engle, Lieutenant-Paramedic Aaron Sherwood (working for Williamson Health EMS), and Williamson Health EMS Paramedic Tyler Cooper.
• May 16, 2024: This award honors Franklin Firefighter Jayce Pickle for his heroic off-duty response. While attending a high school graduation, he witnessed a man collapse from cardiac arrest and immediately began CPR, ultimately helping to save the man’s life.
• July 18, 2024: Alisha Jauch received the Civilian Lifesaving Award. FFD Honorees: Lieutenant-Paramedic Aaron Sherwood, Firefighter Misty Bingham, Firefighter Joshua Fuson, Firefighter-Paramedic Tyler Pratt, and Firefighter Evan Williams.
• September 2, 2024: Lieutenant Kyle McMahon, Firefighter Brittany Greenlee, and Firefighter-Paramedic Matthew Thomas.
• November 22, 2024 (This was the first of two incidents recognized on this date. The second was the Thales Academy incident previously mentioned.): Lieutenant-Paramedic Dustin Anderson, Firefighter David Konstant, Firefighter Robert Martens 

Exemplary Service Award, Emergency Medical Response

• June 9, 2024: Firefighter Stephanie Kirk, and Firefighter-Paramedic Robert Radican
• November 2, 2024: Lieutenant Keith McVoy, Engineer Thomas Anderson, Firefighter-Paramedic Matthew Engelsdorfer, and Fire Explorer Logan Holdaway.

Achievement Award

• Firefighter David Konstant was honored for his dedication and leadership in developing innovative youth programs that inspire and mentor future firefighters. Through collaborations with schools, community organizations, and city leaders, he has created new opportunities, including revitalizing the Fire Explorer Program, launching the Lead with Fire Youth Camp, introducing the Fire Service Management Program, and establishing the Franklin Fire Department Internship Academy. His efforts have paved the way for invaluable opportunities, shaping the future of the fire service.
• Additionally Kris Schneider, Assistant Direct of Williamson County Schools College, Career & Technical Education, presented Konstant with Franklin Tomorrow’s Emerging Leader Award, recognizing his impact as an exemplary community volunteer. 

Stork Awards – For assisting in the out-of-hospital delivery of a baby.

• January 29, 2024 – Baby Boy Micah: Lieutenant Todd Wilson, Engineer-Paramedic Blake Lobel, and Firefighter Andrew Bowden.
• April 17, 2024 – Baby Boy William: Battalion Chief Tyler Crews, Captain Matthew Stout, Lieutenant Jeff Boggs, Engineer Daniel Burke, Engineer-Paramedic Joseph Burwell, Firefighter Kainan Johnson, and Firefighter John McCombs.
• July 21, 2024 – Baby Girl Franklin: Lieutenant David Metcalf, Engineer-Paramedic Chris Daniel, Firefighter Aaron Blalock, and Firefighter Brian Slanaker.

Deployment Award – For deploying to support other communities during natural disasters and times of crisis.

• May 5-18, 2024 – For deploying to Texas with Tennessee Task Force 2 in response to flooding: Lieutenant-Paramedic James Gambill, Lieutenant Kyle McMahon, Firefighter Andrew Bowden, and Firefighter-Paramedic Daniel White.
• June 1-11, 2024 – For deploying to Texas with Tennessee Task Force 2 in response to flooding: Lieutenant Todd Wilson, Firefighter Brittany Greenlee, Firefighter Jayce Pickle, and Firefighter Rob Thomas.
• August 2-9, 2024 – For deploying to Florida and North Carolina with Tennessee Task Force 2 in response to Hurricane Debby: Captain Matthew Stout, Engineer Daniel Burke, Firefighter-Paramedic Bradley Kamau, and Firefighter Rob Thomas.
• September 24–30, 2024 – For deploying to Florida with Tennessee Task Force 2 in response to Hurricane Helene: Lieutenant Kirk McGee, Engineer-Paramedic Joseph Burwell, and Firefighter Rob Thomas.
• September 30-October 10, 2024 – For deploying with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Incident Management Team to East Tennessee following catastrophic flooding due to Hurricane Helene: Battalion Chief Michael Pardue, Battalion Chief Joseph Polenzani, Lieutenant-Paramedic Dustin Anderson, and Firefighter James Hinkle. 

Outside Agency Award – Given to those honored by external organizations for outstanding service to the community that has brought great credit upon the department and the City of Franklin.

• Lieutenant Jeff Boggs – Awarded the Life Saving Award by the Lieutenant Andrew Crockett Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution on April 21, 2024, for rescuing a fellow firefighter trapped in a house fire on January 24, 2024.
• Assistant Fire Marshal Curt Edelmann, Ret. – Received the Fire Safety Commendation Award from the same organization for a decade of contributions to public safety as a member of Franklin’s planning and development team.
• Captain Kyle Bess, Engineer Thomas Alexander, and Firefighter-Paramedic Adam Miller – Honored with the Hometown Hero Award by the Franklin Rodeo on May 17, 2024, for rescuing an 82-year-old woman from a structure fire in Reid Hill Commons on May 24, 2023.

2024 Personnel of the Year

• Support Employee of the Year: Fiscal Manager Joanne Finn
• Fire Administration Staff Member of the Year: EMS Officer Sarah Glenn
• Rookie of the Year: Firefighter Evan Williams
• Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter Misty Bingham
• Engineer of the Year: Engineer-Paramedic Jason Webb
• Fire Officer of the Year: Lieutenant-Paramedic Dustin Anderson 

Promotions and New Firefighters

The ceremony honored the promotions of several personnel, including Captain Josh Thomas, Lieutenants Jon Krawcyk and Keith McVoy, and Engineers Andrew Adams and Jason Bizwell, who had their new badges pinned by loved ones.

Additionally, Franklin welcomed ten veteran firefighters to the department, including Firefighter-Paramedics Luke Anderson, Beau Doss, Kyle Frenzel, Joshua Lin, Brandon Maisey, and Jeffrey Sather, and Firefighters Hayden Hoffman, Liam Homka, Kainan Johnson, and Jose Periut, Jr., who were also honored with badge pinnings by their loved ones. 

Fire Chief Glenn Johnson praised all award recipients and honorees for their dedication and service, and their commitment to protecting the community.

For more information about the Franklin Fire Department, visit www.franklintn.gov/fire.

Top Photo: Medal of Valor recipient Lieutenant Jeff Boggs with Firefighter-Paramedic Tyler Chatham. 

Bottom Photo: 2024 Personnel of the Year Firefighter Evan Williams, Fiscal Manager Joanne Finn, EMS Officer Sarah Glenn, Firefighter Misty Bingham, Engineer-Paramedic Jason Webb, and Lieutenant-Paramedic Dustin Anderson.

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