FORNEY, Texas – The Forney Fire Department held their second annual awards ceremony on Saturday morning, April 12, 2014, at C Life Church.
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In 2013, the Forney Fire Department answered a total of 3,465 calls, according to Forney Fire Department Chief Rick Townsend. Those calls include structure fires, emergency medical calls, non-emergency medical calls, and inspections – which averages nine calls a day.
The department also made 7,321 public education contacts. “We do a lot of education in our community,” said Townsend. “I think that speaks well for these guys.”
“All-in-all, I'm proud of our guys and gal,” said Townsend. “They do a good job.”
After a year of service, the newest members of the Forney Fire Department participate in a ceremonial badge pinning and also received one year of service awards. Those firefighters include Chris Payne, Jason Jacobs, Josh Everett, Josh McCreary, Zane Smith, Tim Shipley, and Tyler Sullivan.
Two years of service awards, presented by Fire Marshal John Holcomb, went to Judson Swindle, Jeremy Latimer, Ronnie Landis, Tiger Butler, and Conner Green.
Under 15 years of service awards were presented to Phillip Pyle, John Holcomb, Matt Baker, Jacob Barkham, Jason Carter, Mark Elliot, Noe Garza, Billy Scroggins, Judson Swindle, Jesse Tamez, David Lawson, Russell Bannister, Ryan Elder, Conner Green, Jason Jacobs, Josh Everett, David Ray, Brian Leathers, Darren Yarborough, Kaci Barkham, Bradley Lewis, Jeremy Latimer, Tiger Butler, Ronnie Landis, Chad Baker, Dusty Polk, and Matt Barnes.
15 year service awards were presented to Steve Chenault and Darrell Hall.
Chief Townsend presented awards to the department's “oldtimers” which include: Chuck Tedder with 25 years of service; Pat Dennehy with 26; Jesse Wood with 26; Forney Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Jamie Barkham with 27; and Randy Cannaday with 29.
Firefighters with over 30 years of service to the Forney Fire Department were Robby Roland with 33 years of service and Charlie Buster with 32 years of service.
Forney Fire Department Lieutenant Darren Yarborough presented this year's Life Saving Award to "A" Shift members Lt. David Lawson, Russell Bannister, Ryan Elder, Conner Green, Josh Everett, Steve Chenault, Jason Jacobs, and Mark Elliot.
These individuals were presented the award after their life-saving actions on July 29, 2013, for saving a 24-year-old male's life on Golden Meadow Lane. The male was unresponsive when 9-1-1 was called and CPR was administered to save his life. “That's what we do for a living,” said Yarborough. “But, these men deserve all the recognition and accolades.”
“I have the upmost respect for you guys and ladies and especially the families,” said Forney City Council member Darrell Hobbs. “The second anniversary of the tornado just passed … the first faces I saw when I came out [of my home in Diamond Creek] were of two firefighters. You should be real proud of your firefighters.”
The department also made 7,321 public education contacts. “We do a lot of education in our community,” said Townsend. “I think that speaks well for these guys.”
“All-in-all, I'm proud of our guys and gal,” said Townsend. “They do a good job.”
After a year of service, the newest members of the Forney Fire Department participate in a ceremonial badge pinning and also received one year of service awards. Those firefighters include Chris Payne, Jason Jacobs, Josh Everett, Josh McCreary, Zane Smith, Tim Shipley, and Tyler Sullivan.
Two years of service awards, presented by Fire Marshal John Holcomb, went to Judson Swindle, Jeremy Latimer, Ronnie Landis, Tiger Butler, and Conner Green.
Under 15 years of service awards were presented to Phillip Pyle, John Holcomb, Matt Baker, Jacob Barkham, Jason Carter, Mark Elliot, Noe Garza, Billy Scroggins, Judson Swindle, Jesse Tamez, David Lawson, Russell Bannister, Ryan Elder, Conner Green, Jason Jacobs, Josh Everett, David Ray, Brian Leathers, Darren Yarborough, Kaci Barkham, Bradley Lewis, Jeremy Latimer, Tiger Butler, Ronnie Landis, Chad Baker, Dusty Polk, and Matt Barnes.
15 year service awards were presented to Steve Chenault and Darrell Hall.
Chief Townsend presented awards to the department's “oldtimers” which include: Chuck Tedder with 25 years of service; Pat Dennehy with 26; Jesse Wood with 26; Forney Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Jamie Barkham with 27; and Randy Cannaday with 29.
Firefighters with over 30 years of service to the Forney Fire Department were Robby Roland with 33 years of service and Charlie Buster with 32 years of service.
Forney Fire Department Lieutenant Darren Yarborough presented this year's Life Saving Award to "A" Shift members Lt. David Lawson, Russell Bannister, Ryan Elder, Conner Green, Josh Everett, Steve Chenault, Jason Jacobs, and Mark Elliot.
These individuals were presented the award after their life-saving actions on July 29, 2013, for saving a 24-year-old male's life on Golden Meadow Lane. The male was unresponsive when 9-1-1 was called and CPR was administered to save his life. “That's what we do for a living,” said Yarborough. “But, these men deserve all the recognition and accolades.”
“I have the upmost respect for you guys and ladies and especially the families,” said Forney City Council member Darrell Hobbs. “The second anniversary of the tornado just passed … the first faces I saw when I came out [of my home in Diamond Creek] were of two firefighters. You should be real proud of your firefighters.”