Off Duty Network


 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2007  

Make your plans to be in ATLANTA for the Firefighters’ Recognition Day activities on FEBRUARY 6, 2007. A great day of activities has been planned for this date:

 7:30 AM - Contingent of fire apparatus from throughout the State begins arriving for staging at Turner Field (Gold Lot & Green Lot) ) and subsequent deployment around the Capitol for the Recognition Day Ceremonies that begin at 10:00 AM.  Following the Burn Foundation luncheon (1:30 PM), firefighters will return to their apparatus for DE-MOBILIZATION  at Turner Field.

7:30 - 9:15 AM -  State Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine will host a continental breakfast for firefighters.  Local fire marshals will also be deputized during this time. This function will be held in the State Capitol Building in the South Wing on the second floor.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 35TH  Annual FIREFIGHTERS RECOGNITION CEREMONIES at the State Capitol (South Wing, Second Floor), sponsored by the Georgia State Firefighters Association. Now set by law for the first Tuesday in February, the Firefighters Recognition Day sponsored by the Georgia State Firefighters Association honors the important role that firefighters play in the safety of their community and the State. Invited speakers include Governor Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Karen Handel, Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine, Attorney General Thurbert Baker, Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson, and several key Committee Chairs. 


The ceremonies will be called to order by GSFA President Wayne Hadden and will commence at 10:00 AM with the presentation of colors by the (Cherokee County Fire Emergency Services Color Guard) and music by the Valdosta Fire Department Bagpipe Band. Firefighters and guests are requested to be assembled in the South Wing of the Capitol by 9:45 AM

 During the ceremonies Governor Perdue will applaud contributions made by all fire service personnel in Georgia (this is YOUR Day!), and also recognize and present commendations to GSFA award recipients:

 

Lifesaving Valor Award: Macon-Bibb County Fire Department; &

Allen ”Butch” Eleam , Summerville Fire Dept.

 

Firefighter of the Year: James H. Crawley, Thomson Fire Department

 

Rookie Firefighter of the Year: James C. Ray, Ft. Oglethorpe Fire Dept.

 

Educator of the Year: Walker County Emergency Services, Entire Fire Education Bureau


12:00 PM A luncheon sponsored by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation will follow the Capitol ceremonies and will be held at the Georgia State Student Center on Courtland St. Reservations are not being taken - first come, first served. For further information, call GFBF at 404-320-6223 or 800-273-2877.

 1:30 PM Following the Burn Foundation luncheon firefighters will return to their apparatus and to Turner Field for de-mobilization.  

 RE-CAP OF ACTIVITIES

7:30 AM - Apparatus begin arriving for staging at Turner Field

7:30 AM - Commissioner Oxendine’s Breakfast at State Capitol

10:00 AM - FIREFIGHTERS RECOGNITION DAY Ceremonies at State Capitol

12:00 PM - Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation Luncheon at Student Center

 Please note the changes in times for the Recognition Day activities. The ceremonies were originally scheduled for 10:45 AM, but the time was moved back to 10:00 AM. to accommodate the Governor’s schedule. All of the other activities were changed to correspond with this change.