Chief Matt Daniel (center) presented certificates of recognition to Firefighter Byron Miranda (left) and Captain Jason Harris (right) after their April deployment to flood-stricken central Kentucky
Two Dalton firefighters were honored Tuesday for their brave service aiding victims of flooding in Kentucky last month. Captain Jason Harris and Firefighter Byron Miranda responded along with other members of the Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) team in early April after flooding devastated portions of north central Kentucky. Both were presented with certificates of recognition for their roles in the deployment at Tuesday morning's meeting of the Dalton Public Safety Commission.
The Dalton Fire Department is part of GSAR Task Force 6 was sent to help in Kentucky as part of a mutual aid agreement. Other north Georgia agencies represented on the team included Calhoun, Catoosa County, Rome, Haralson County, Paulding County, Cartersville, Bartow County, Carroll County, Gordon County, Walker County, Bremen, and Chatsworth.
"Task Force 6 had the most contacts of all the task forces deployed in Kentucky with 98 total contacts," Chief Matt Daniel told the Public Safety Commission Tuesday. "With contacts being people who were rescued or evacuated. I'd also mention that there were countless numbers of pets who were also rescued."
The task force group was deployed to Kentucky for nine days. In addition to rescuing residents who were trapped in homes or vehicles by rising water, the team also helped local authorities to distribute food and supplies in the area.
"Please accept our gratitude and recognition of your efforts," Chief Daniel said Tuesday to Captain Harris and Firefighter Miranda. "Your exemplary performance speaks to your character, professionalism, and your dedicated service to our department both inside and outside of our community."
"I’d just like to say, for myself, I appreciate your ability to participate with these other agencies and help these people, and I know they do as well," said PSC Chairman Truman Whitfield. "I want to thank you, doing hard work here is one thing, but doing hard work out of state and under those circumstances is another challenge altogether."