The Dalton Fire Department's newest crop of firefighters are a special group. The department's recruit school is known for weeding out candidates who don't quite have what it takes to be a Dalton firefighter - it's a 15-week program designed not just to train firefighters, but also to ensure that only the best join the agency. For the first time in recent memory, the most recent class had a 100 percent graduation rate.
Trevor Cloer, Seth Cox, Jonathan Crow, Charles Davis, Billy Johnson and Garrett Krout were presented to the Public Safety Commission Tuesday morning for their approval as new Dalton firefighters.
The commission voted unanimously 4-0 to confirm the new class.
"We started with six and this is the first time in many years that we finished with six," Fire Chief Todd Pangle said while presenting the class. "We had 100 percent graduation, and I have expressed my appreciation to this class for their determination and devotion to their new craft."
Trevor Cloer, 24, is a graduate of Southeast Whitfield High School and comes to the Dalton Fire Department after working with Shaw Industries.
Seth Cox, 26, is a graduate of Coahulla Creek High School and served in the United States Navy as a corpsman before joining the fire department.
Jonathan Crow, 23, is a graduate of North Murray High School and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, with an associate's degree in business. He also serves in the Georgia National Guard.
Charles Davis is a graduate of the Ivy Academy and has a massage therapy certificate from Chattanooga State. Before joining the fire department he worked for Ford Chiropractic.
Billy Johnson, 28, is a graduate of Heritage High School in Catoosa County and worked with the Hamilton County, TN Board of Education before beginning his firefighting career.
Garrett Krout, 30, is a graduate of Northwest Whitfield High School and worked with The Farm golf course before becoming a firefighter.
"I know you’ve had an arduous series of weeks, the chief has been updating us, and I just want to say on behalf of myself and the other members of the commission that we’re glad to have you," PSC Chairman Truman Whitfield said after the vote to confirm the new recruits.
"I know you’ve worked hard and you deserve to be here this morning. I’ve driven by several times and I’ve seen you working hard during the day and I’m amazed by how hard you guys have worked over the last few months," PSC Member Terry Mathis said. "So, congratulations on that, I appreciate you being part of the family.