New DPD Officer Keidric Johnson, left, stands with Assistant Chief Chris Crossen after being confirmed by the PSC
Chief Todd Pangle, left, stands with the members of Engine 2-A, from left, Lt. Jeff Viens and Firefighters Justin Cole and Cody Manly
Chief Pangle stands with the DFD’s Firefighter of the Year Justin Rishel, on right
Chief Pangle poses with Firefighter III Matt Asbel, on right
The Dalton Police Department presented its newest officer for confirmation at Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Dalton Public Safety Commission. Assistant Chief Chris Crossen presented Officer Keidric Johnson to the commission.
Officer Johnson is a 2009 graduate of Gordon Central High School. Before joining the police department, he worked in local industry, most recently serving as an inspector with Shaw Industries at a facility in Adairsville. Officer Johnson recently graduated from the police academy and is now taking part in the police department’s field training program, riding with and being evaluated by experienced mentor officers.
Officer Johnson was confirmed by a unanimous 4-0 vote of the present commissioners (commission member Keith Whitworth was not present).
Also at Tuesday morning’s meeting, Dalton Fire Chief Todd Pangle honored Justin Rishel as the agency’s Firefighter of the Year. Chief Pangle said Mr. Rishel’s selection for the honor was based on his tireless work ethic and drive to continue becoming a better firefighter.
Firefighter Rishel joined the Dalton Fire Department in January 2003. During his tenure with the agency, he worked his way to being considered as the senior firefighter on his shift according to his supervisors. While unofficial, that designation is a term of endearment that shows the respect he’s earned from his peers thanks to his knowledge and work ethic. Since moving to the department’s Training Division, Mr. Rishel has been instrumental in the department’s recruit classes and other training programs.
Also at Tuesday morning’s meeting, Chief Pangle presented a Unit Citation to the firefighters of Engine 2-A. The citation was related to their life-saving actions in a Dec. 1 medical call on Ludie Street. Firefighters were dispatched a report of a male patient who was unresponsive without a pulse. When they arrived, they took over CPR on the patient and applied an AED. After a shock from the AED, the patient regained a pulse and began breathing on his own. The patient ultimately had a good outcome after being taken to the hospital.
Lieutenant Jeff Viens, and firefighters Cody Manly, and Justin Cole received the honor.
Chief Pangle also honored Firefighter III Matt Asbell with a certificate for his heroic actions at a Dec. 30 structure fire while he was off duty in Chatsworth.
Mr. Asbell was driving in Chatsworth when he saw a column of smoke nearby and went to investigate. When he arrived at the house on Emerald Parkway, he found smoke pouring out of the structure. Mr. Asbell immediately checked with neighbors to find out if anyone was at home. They were unsure, so he checked the doors on the house and discovered they were locked. He then kicked in the front door to make entry. It was a split level house, so Mr. Asbell went downstairs to the first floor and performed a primary search. After determining the first floor was clear, he went upstairs and found heat and fire which forced him to back out of the building. Units from the Chatsworth Fire Department were arriving and Mr. Asbell met with Captain Joey Torres and briefed him that the first floor was clear and told him where the fire was located. Chatsworth FD then took control of the operation. Captain Torres later contacted Dalton Fire to praise Mr. Asbell’s actions in clearing the first floor and enabling them to go straight to locate and extinguish the fire.
Tuesday morning’s meeting was the first of 2020 for the Public Safety Commission so the members elected officers for the year. Incoming chairman Bill Weaver was re-nominated and confirmed by a unanimous 3-0 vote of the commissioners present. Anthony Walker was nominated to succeed Terry Mathis as the PSC’s secretary which was also confirmed by unanimous vote.
The Dalton Public Safety Commission is comprised of Chairman William B. Weaver, Terry Mathis, Anthony Walker, Keith Whitworth, and Kenneth E. Willis.