Franklin, TN – The outstanding accomplishments and recent promotions of Franklin Fire Department members were recognized during a ceremony on June 23 in Liberty Hall at The Factory at Franklin.

Doug Griffin, host of "Doug and Jaci Velasquez - Your Family Friendly Morning Show" on 94 FM The Fish, served as Master of Ceremonies.  Mayor Ken Moore and Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek joined him in recognizing the honorees. 

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of two Phoenix Awards to Captain David Currie and crew from Station 6, 1061 Cool Springs Boulevard, for saving the life of the same patient on two different occasions in 2015.  They revived that individual who was pulseless and not breathing with CPR on February 6, 2015, and then again on April 28, 2015.  After both incidents the patient made a complete recovery and was released from the hospital.

The evening kicked off with a traditional firefighting bagpipes and drum band, courtesy of Battalion Chief Joe Polenzani and special guest Todd Boswell.  The Franklin Fire Department Honor Guard, comprised of Firefighter-Paramedic Brian Brandon, Firefighter-Paramedic Michael Henry, Firefighter-Paramedic Kirk White, and Firefighter Cory Swenson posted the colors.  Firefighter-Paramedic Jeff Essig provided the invocation, and Captain Tom Chaffin led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Below is a complete list of honorees.

Promotions

Promoted personnel were presented with their new badges, which were pinned to their uniforms by a family member or friend. 

Promoted to Lieutenant were Kyle Bess, Paramedic Shawn Donovan, Jonathan Gill, Andrew Ivey, Jeremy Martin, Kirk McGee, David Metcalf, and Joshua Thomas.

Promoted to Engineer were Thomas Alexander, Jeff Boggs, Doug Bowman, Paramedic Kris Bull, Paramedic Steve Denny, Paramedic Mark Hall, Paramedic James Gambill, Jason Morgan, Jeremiah Rogers, and Paramedic Richey Schatz.

Phoenix Awards

Firefighters who helped to save the life of a patient who was in cardiac arrest were presented with a Phoenix Award.  There were five such instances in 2015.

Phoenix Award: January 23, 2015 – Engineer Doug Bowman, Firefighter-Paramedic Scottie Chambers, Firefighter-Paramedic David Darnell, and Firefighter Tony Moore.

Phoenix Award: February 6, 2015 – Captain David Currie, Lieutenant Jeff Moss, Engineer David Edge, Engineer Jon Krawcyk, Engineer Dennis Nealy, and Firefighter-Paramedic Seth Frost.

Phoenix Award: March 28, 2015 – Captain Clay Mackey, Lieutenant Joshua Thomas, Engineer Thomas Anderson, Firefighter-Paramedic Wes Bryant, Firefighter Jason McCord, and Firefighter Greg Tucker.

Phoenix Award: April 28, 2015 – Battalion Chief Joe Polenzani, Captain David Currie, Lieutenant Jeff Moss, Engineer David Edge, Engineer Jon Krawcyk, and Engineer Dennis Nealy.

Phoenix Award: October 14, 2015 – Battalion Chief Eddie House, Captain Scott Mainord, Lieutenant Steve Raymer, Engineer Thomas Anderson, Firefighter-Paramedic Joseph Burwell, Firefighter-Paramedic Seth Frost, Firefighter Daniel Burke, and Firefighter Keith McVoy.

Fire Chief’s Awards

Fire Chief’s Award: Swift Water Rescue Team South Carolina Deployment

Six members of the Franklin Fire Department’s swift water rescue team were deployed to South Carolina after a record-setting rainfall in early October 2015 resulted in catastrophic and deadly flooding across much of the southeastern part of the state.  Deputy Chief Glenn Johnson, Captain Greg Wild, Lieutenant Kirk McGee, Engineer Paul Seltz, Firefighter-Paramedic Daniel Donegan, and Firefighter Rob Thomas were commended for their actions and honored for assisting with rescue operations, evacuations, and protection of the public.

Fire Chief’s Award: Citizens’ Fire Academy

In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Franklin Fire Department’s annual Citizens’ Fire Academy, Captain Ben Marler was honored for founding and coordinating this program from 2007 to 2012.  Lieutenant Jonathan Gill and Engineer Richard Hasley were recognized for coordinating the Citizens’ Fire Academy for the past three years.  The Citizens’ Fire Academy provides citizens with insight into how firefighters perform their duties and how the fire department serves the community.  Since the inaugural class, more than 100 participants have graduated from the program. 

Excellence Award

Deputy Chief Andy King, Lieutenant Bill Almon, Lieutenant Geoff Woolard, and Engineer David Edge were recognized for their role in helping to conduct a successful fire investigation that led to a conviction of aggravated arson.  In September of 2014, Luther Cleveland Still, Jr. was sentenced to 15 years in prison for intentionally setting a house on fire while he and three others were inside.  Still started the fire the night of April 24, 2013 during a domestic dispute at a residence in the Rogersshire subdivision. 

Community Service Award

Several firefighters were honored for their contributions to Williamson County Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA).  They were part of a team comprised of representatives from Kiskaddon + architects, plc, O’More College of Design and Franklin Firefighters Charities who designed and built a 60 square foot playhouse to benefit CASA.  The state-of-the-art playhouse, complete with HardiePlank siding, an aluminum standing seam roof, double-hung windows, insulation, electrical wiring and hardwood flooring was raffled off and raised $40,000.  The following firefighters received the Community Service Award for their efforts:  Lieutenant-Paramedic Michael Henderson, Engineer-Paramedic Kris Bull, Engineer Jeff Boggs, Retired Engineer Mike Burns, Engineer Wylie Jones, Firefighter-Paramedic Wes Bryant, Firefighter-Paramedic Brandy Demastus, Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Shadowens, Firefighter-Paramedic Aaron Sherwood, Firefighter Johnny Balitsky, Firefighter Brian Slanaker, and Firefighter Greg Tucker.

Personnel of the Year

Personnel of the Year awards are voted on by the entire department.  The following individuals were recognized as the 2015 Personnel of the Year:

• Officer of the Year – Captain Greg Wild
• Administrative Staff Member of the Year – Fire Inspector Wayne Mobley
• Engineer of the Year – Engineer Billy Lampley
• Firefighter of the Year – Firefighter Jeremiah Rogers
• Rookie of the Year – Firefighter Kyle McMahon
• Support Employee of the Year – Administrative Assistant Joanne Finn

Fire and Life Safety Educator Jamie Melton was also recognized for being selected by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office as the 2015 Fire Educator of the Year.

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