Cherokee County Firefighters Recognized for Saving Lives

Twenty-seven Cherokee County firefighters were recognized April 9 for exceptional bravery and dedication, Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services announced.

The fire department held an awards ceremony April 9 as part of its awards and recognition program, established last year to honor outstanding service within the department.

Among the accolades were Firefighter Lifesaver Awards, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Lifesaver Awards, and Unit Citations, awarded for actions during six separate incidents over the past several years.

EMS Lifesaver Awards were presented to Miguel Castro, Logan Hart, Garrett Townsend, Joey VanBeers and Jason Williams. These firefighters were credited with swift actions to care for a patient in cardiac arrest in 2022, which saved the patient’s life. The patient received necessary treatment, was transported to a hospital, and made a remarkable recovery.

Gerald Wright, Brad Gravitt, Dean Hege, and Alec Adams also received EMS Lifesaver Awards for their efforts in saving another patient’s life, ensuring their safe transport to a hospital and subsequent recovery.

Justin Libby, Devin Cleveland and Alex Henderson received Unit Citations for their swift response to a drowning incident, where they “demonstrated exceptional courage and resourcefulness in locating and removing a victim from the lake, giving the patient the best chance for survival,” according to the department.

David Miller, Cidnee Jones, Cameron Hubbard, Dave Burnaugh, Todd Mullins, Joseph Little, and Brandon Barton received Unit Citations for their decisive actions in treating a child with a traumatic and life-threatening injury, saving the child’s life.

Another Unit Citation was awarded to Chase Scoggins, Chris King, Brady Reed, Eli Muse, Kevin Fox, and Jeffery Garrett for their response in handling an ammonia leak. They were credited with quick thinking and effective response that prevented serious harm to multiple individuals.

The Firefighter Lifesaver Award was presented to Andy Kane and Kyle Hicks, who were honored for swift and decisive action in rescuing a victim from a burning home.

“The exemplary performance of these dedicated firefighters embodies the highest ideals of the American fire service and reflects positively on themselves and Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services,” the fire department said in a news release. “Their heroic actions underscore their unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Cherokee County.”