Franklin, TN – The Franklin Fire Department honored personnel, citizens, and other emergency responders for outstanding 2018 accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 13, 2019 at the Williamson County Community Enrichment Center.  Additionally, Personnel of the Year Awards were presented, and promotions and a recent retirement were recognized.  To watch the ceremony on YouTube visit  http://bit.ly/2w19txp.

Two patients who survived life-threatening emergencies, and the mother of a patient who survived a traumatic injury, attended the ceremony to personally thank responders (for photos visit: http://bit.ly/30sebSK).

Recognition of Retired Deputy Chief Todd Horton

Retired Franklin Fire Deputy Chief Todd Horton was presented with a retirement gift by Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek in thanksgiving for his 29 years of service to the department.  Deputy Chief Horton retired last month to accept the position of Williamson County Emergency Management Agency Director.

Phoenix Award and Civilian Lifesaving Award – June 1, 2018

Patient Ronnie Campbell, who survived a cardiac arrest, attended the ceremony to personally thank Franklin Fire Engine Company 7 for helping to save his life on June 1, 2018.  Lt. Daniel Doss, Firefighter-Paramedic Brian Peters, and Firefighters James Fox and Nick Riley received a Phoenix Award for their efforts, along with citizen Brenden Patrick Miller, who performed CPR until the firefighters arrived.  Additionally, Lt. Doss presented Brenden Patrick Miller with a Civilian Lifesaving Award.

Meritorious Service Award – July 23, 2018

The mother of a patient who sustained life-threatening injuries in a head-on motor vehicle collision attended to thank Franklin Fire Ladder Company 4 for helping to save the life of her daughter.  Lieutenant-Paramedic Michael Henderson, Engineer Brian Daugherty, Firefighter-Paramedic Ryan Naylor, and Firefighter Steven Holmes received a Meritorious Service Award for their actions. 

Meritorious Service Award – August 31, 2018

Patient Steven O’Donnell, who was struck and critically injured while outside his broken-down vehicle on Lewisburg Pike the evening of August 31, 2018, attended the ceremony with his family to personally thank emergency responders.  Williamson County Sheriff’s Deputies Erol Agaoglu and Will Harris were the first to arrive on scene, applying a tourniquet and controlling life-threatening bleeding until firefighters arrived.  They received a Meritorious Service Award for their actions, along with Franklin Fire Battalion Chief Joe Polenzani, Lieutenant-Paramedic Richey Schatz, Engineer Doug Bowman, and Firefighters Daniel Burke and Josh Meeks.

Fire Chief’s Award – Hurricane Florence Deployment, September 12-26, 2018

A swift-water rescue team comprised of members from the Franklin Fire, Police, and IT Departments received the Fire Chief’s Award for their deployment to South Carolina to assist with relief efforts following Hurricane Florence.  Representing the Franklin Fire Department were Assistant Fire Chief Glenn Johnson, Captains Thomas Chaffin, Jonathan Jenkins and Michael Pardue, Lieutenants Jonathan Gill and Jeremy Martin, Engineer Jeremiah Rogers, Firefighter-Paramedics Joseph Burwell and Daniel Smotherman, and Firefighter Rob Thomas. Representing the Franklin Police Department were Detective Ryan Grande, and Officers Sean Finn, Branden McClellan, and Cody Walter. Communications Systems Manager Michael Proctor from the City of Franklin’s IT Department also joined the team.

Here is a list of additional awards that were presented:

Phoenix Awards (for saving the life of a person in cardiac arrest):

May 10, 2018 – Captain Joe Hill, Lt. Jonathan Gill, Firefighter-Paramedics Matt Anderson, Chris Daniel, and Terry Story, and Firefighters David Cloud, Don Crouch, Keith McVoy and Jerry Thomas.

May 31, 2018 – Lt. Steve Raymer, Engineer Chris McElvain, and Firefighter-Paramedics Nate Davis and Tyler Chatham.

Personnel of the Year (For photos visit http://bit.ly/2EawrGU)

• Fire Officer of the Year – Lieutenant David Metcalf
• Engineer of the Year – Engineer Mike Morgan
• Firefighter of the Year – Firefighter-Paramedic Shane Wyatt
• Rookie of the Year – Firefighter Luke Greenwell
• Fire Administration Staff Member of the Year - Fire Inspector Wayne Mobley
• Support Employee of the Year – Building & Neighborhood Services Fire & Life Safety Plans Examiner II Rodney Prince

Stork Award – May 10, 2018

Firefighter-Paramedic Jason Webb and Firefighter Rob Thomas were honored for assisting with the delivery of a healthy baby boy.

Certificate of Recognition – June 8, 2018

Lieutenant-Paramedic Max Cook was recognized for saving the life of a person who was choking while he was off-duty. 

Community Service Award

Firefighter Danielle Randolph was recognized for her 2018 contributions to the Fire Prevention Division. 

Promotions/Badge Pinnings (For photos visit http://bit.ly/2WSpNg0)

New personnel and those who had been recently promoted were presented with their new badges.  They were pinned to their uniforms by family members.  James Demastus was promoted to Engineer from the position of Firefighter.  Jonathan Dye and Curt Edelmann were promoted to Assistant Fire Marshal from the position of Fire Inspector.  Ryan Naylor was promoted to Fire Inspector from the position of Firefighter-Paramedic.  Kristie Thompson joined the department as a Fire Inspector.

Doug Griffin, a DJ with 94.1 FM, served as master of ceremonies.  Mayor Dr. Ken Moore, City Administrator Eric Stuckey and Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek joined him in recognizing the honorees.  Battalion Chief Joe Polenzani joined the Nashville Firefighters Pipes and Drums band in a musical performance to open the ceremony, and the Franklin Fire Department Honor Guard posted the colors.

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