Shown are Logan Bickford, Mason Padgett, Christian Perez, Mason Shepard, Tatiana Sieli, Will Sloan, Riley Werner, and Chief Matt Daniel
The Dalton Fire Department introduced seven new firefighters Tuesday morning at the monthly meeting of the Public Safety Commission. The new firefighters recently completed the department's grueling three-month recruit school training program. The class includes two DFD "legacies", children of Dalton firefighters.
Firefighters Logan Bickford, Mason Padgett, Christian Perez, Mason Shepard, Tatiana Sieli, Will Sloan, and Riley Werner were all introduced before the Public Safety Commission Tuesday.
Firefighter Logan Bickford is a 2016 graduate of Murray County High School. He's an eight-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and plans to continue his service in the Marine Reserves. He has a bachelor's degree in business management from American Military University.
Firefighter Mason Padgett is a 2019 Coahulla Creek High School graduate. While in high school, he was an avid baseball player. He already has firefighting experience, serving with the Murray County Fire Department before joining the DFD.
Firefighter Christian Perez is a 2018 graduate of Dalton High School where he was active in the JROTC program, earning the rank of Cadet Colonel and Battalion Commander. Before joining the Dalton Fire Department, Perez owned a business called Dalton Nutrition.
Firefighter Mason Shepard is a 2016 graduate of Northwest Whitfield High School. He was a standout member of the football team and the track team while in high school. before joining the DFD, he worked with Southeastern Freight Lines.
Firefighter Tatiana Sieli is a 2021 graduate of Christian Heritage High School. After graduation, she went on to Bryan College where she played on a softball scholarship. She also worked as a dispatcher for the Georgia Highway Patrol before joining the fire department. Her father Hector Chiesa is a retired DFD engineer.
Firefighter Will Sloan is a 2022 graduate of Coahulla Creek High School and has worked for the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department since finishing school. His father Mike Sloan is a DFD lieutenant.
Firefighter Riley Werner is a 2019 graduate of Sonoraville High School. He has worked as a firefighter and EMT for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services for the past three years before joining the DFD.
This most recent recruit school was a rarity, without a single firefighter candidate failing to complete the program.