Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services

We're back with our annual Toy Drive! We're collecting new, unwrapped toys for local organizations like Toys for Tots, MUST Ministries, and more. Want to help? Simply drop off your donations at any Cherokee County fire station by December 15th. Collection boxes will be available at each station (unless crews are out on an emergency call). For more info, visit www.CherokeeCountyFire.com or call (678) 493-4000. Let's spread some holiday cheer!

This morning, we had the privilege of participating in Fist Bump Friday at Teasley Middle School, and it was truly a highlight for our team! Connecting with students and staff, sharing positive energy, and building relationships with the community we serve is always an incredible experience. We’re grateful for the opportunity to interact with the next generation, show our support, and promote safety in a fun and engaging way. It's moments like these that remind us how important community involvement is to our mission. Looking forward to future opportunities to connect and make a positive impact! Cherokee County School District - GA #CommunityEngagement #FireService #PublicSafety #FistBumpFriday #StrongerTogether

???? Honoring Our Veterans ???? Today, we pause to recognize and thank all the brave men and women who have served in our nation's military. Your sacrifices, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our country are truly appreciated. A special thank you to the veterans within our own fire department family. Your service to both our country and community continues to inspire us all. We are proud to stand alongside you in protecting and serving those in need. #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans

Today at the CCFTC, our fire recruits had the privilege of hosting a special lunch for our retirees! The delicious food was prepared by Lt. Kennedy from Hickory Flat BBQ Co. This event is a beloved tradition for each recruit class, giving us the chance to show our appreciation to those who laid the groundwork for Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us today and shared their invaluable insights for a successful career in the fire service. Your wisdom, dedication, and experience form the foundation of our department, and we truly appreciate the opportunity to learn from you. Together, we’re not only honoring our history but also building a stronger future!?

Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) is excited to announce that additional firefighters have successfully completed their training to join our Dive Team, reinforcing our dedication to serving the community with courage, commitment, and integrity. Eight firefighters have achieved their Emergency Rescue Diver 1 (ERD1) certification, and one firefighter has completed his qualifications to become an instructor. The training, which took place last week at the Cherokee Aquatics Center, concluded with practical check-off dives at Lake Lanier West Bank Park. Under the guidance of Battalion Chief Ricky Collett, our comprehensive week-long program equipped participants with essential skills, including: ?Emergency Response Diving ?Diver Problem Solving ?Search Patterns ?Environmental Hazards ?Black Water Diving ?And more! We proudly congratulate our new divers: Escalada, Brandenburg, Huber, Hutchinson, Henderson, Ramano, Cagle, and Banks. With their addition, our Dive Team now comprises 20 divers, significantly enhancing our ability to respond effectively to aquatic emergencies. CCFES extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in this vital training initiative. Your dedication to service is truly invaluable.

?? We are honored to have participated in the Cherokee County Domestic Violence Task Force’s annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil held at The Mill on Etowah last night. This solemn event is dedicated to honoring the victims of domestic violence. Deputy Chief Kevin Lanier stood alongside public safety leaders and elected officials from across Cherokee County, reading the names of those who have tragically lost their lives due to domestic violence over the past year. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. You can call 911 or reach out to the Cherokee Family Violence Center's 24/7 Crisis Hotline at 770-479-1703. We stand together in solidarity against domestic violence. ?? #EndDomesticViolence #CherokeeCounty

Monday night, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services proudly participated in the Canton Moose Lodge Public Safety Awards Banquet, honoring the exemplary contributions of public safety personnel from Cherokee and Pickens counties. The event recognized outstanding individuals for their unwavering commitment to serving the community. Deputy Chief Kevin Lanier was the keynote speaker for this year's event. He spoke about the outstanding public safety throughout our county and highlighted how well everyone works together to serve the citizens of our communities. Earlier this year, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services announced the recipients of its 2023 Of-the-Year awards, several of whom were celebrated at the banquet. Those recognized last night included: FAO Beau Witcher, 2023 Paramedic of the Year Sgt. RC Vaughn, 2023 Special Operations Member of the Year Sgt. Rick Scales, 2023 Support Services Member of the Year Lt. Stan Ice, 2023 Volunteer Firefighter of the Year "We are incredibly proud of our team members who received these prestigious honors," said Eddie Robinson, Fire Chief of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services. "Their dedication and commitment to our communities truly make a difference, and we are grateful for their hard work and service." The awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight the vital role that public safety professionals play in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services remains committed to supporting and recognizing the efforts of its dedicated members.

In these challenging times, CCFES is here for our neighbors. In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, we deployed 1 Tender, 2 Ambulances, and 2 Chiefs to Hazelhurst, Georgia, to assist Jeff Davis County. Our team of 9 dedicated personnel, including a Division Chief, Battalion Chief, and 7 skilled Firefighters (all licensed Paramedics or Advanced-EMTs), left on the evening of September 29th to provide critical support. Fire Chief Eddie Robinson expressed our heartfelt support: “We’re honored to stand by our fellow Georgians during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this disaster.” Together, we can help heal our communities. Read more about our deployment here: https://lnkd.in/eK-P9siU

It is with profound sadness that we learn of the unexpected passing of one of our own, Nevin O’Hearn. O’Hearn, who joined our department on February 11, 2019, served with dedication as a Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (A-EMT) at Cherokee County Fire Station 13 in the Sutallee community. His unwavering commitment to serving others and his kind spirit touched the lives of many, both within our department and in the community. Though his death was unrelated to his duties, the loss of Nevin is felt deeply by all of us. As we navigate this difficult time, we ask for your support and compassion for his family, friends, and fellow firefighters. Let us come together to honor his memory and the impact he made in our community. Rest in peace, Nevin. You will be missed but never forgotten.

What a fun filled day at Firehouse 13! Over 200 community members came out to celebrate what will become a cornerstone of the Sutallee Community in Cherokee County. Cherokee Fire is strong because of our members and the supportive citizens of this county. Honored to be a part of this team!