18 — The Newnan Times-Herald — Heroes Among Us
PUBLIC SAFETY 2018
PHOTO BY CLAY NEELY
Three years after taking over EMS services for the county, Coweta County Fire Rescue was recently named Emergency Medical Service of the Year by the Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Services. From left are Assistant Chief Mitch Coggin, Division Chief Ron Hamilton, Fire Marshal Blaine Shirley, Assistant Chief Jeff Denney, First Assistant Chief Scott Harmon, Fire Chief Deron “Pat” Wilson, District Chief Bryan Fuller, District Chief Craig Sherrer, District Chief Robby Flanagan, and Deputy Fire Marshal Enrico Dean.
CCFR From page 17
terstate in places where we have car accidents in steep ravines,” said Firefighter J.T. Wilson. “We can get the patient up in a rope basket – it’s been used many times.” Firefighters can even rappel from the platform. The department has 14 pumper trucks, which are referred to as “engine companies.” These are standard fire engines that hook to fire hydrants. They can also pump water from lakes, if need be, and they all carry 750 to 1,000 gallons of water. There are four tankers that carry 3,000 gallons for areas where there isn’t access to water. There are also
backup and reserve units. Currently, the department is in the midst of changing its response protocol, to put more apparatus on the scene. The department is working on a new “safe structural firefighting” policy. Currently, two engines, a platform truck, a battalion chief and the heavy rescue unit respond to a structure fire. The changes will add two additional engines to the mix. “That gives us personnel and additional firefighting capacity,” Wilson said. “If the first unit can handle it, then we’ll cancel those units responding.” The additional units on scene will bring the department close to National Fire Protection Association standards, he said. Over the years, the department
has expanded and upgraded fire stations. The only station that hasn’t received a recent renovation is Station 5 on Smokey Road. Wilson said his goal is to build a new station in the area, but in a different location. “If we can’t replace it, we may look at some short term renovations,” he said. “I would rather wait and let’s get the location right.” The current number of stations should serve the county well for a while, but Wilson said there will probably be a need for a station location study in the next few years. The folks at Coweta Fire Rescue do more than just respond to emergencies. Before Christmas last year, the department installed 1,120 smoke alarms in local homes. The department focused on
homes where folks may be struggling financially and don’t have smoke alarms. But the project was more than that. “It was a big outreach. It was more than just smoke alarms, it was also letting people know we’re here,” Wilson said. His firefighters also do public outreach in other ways, going to community events, setting up the fire engine for kids. Or they may stop and help someone with a flat tire. In 2018, Wilson wants to expand community outreach even more. “What these folks do every day makes me proud to be part of this department and part of this family,” Wilson said. “When the rubber meets the road, it’s pretty darn amazing what you see happening here.”