DFD Introduces Two New Firefighters

Tuesday, December 17th, 2024

The Dalton Fire Department introduced its two newest recruits at Tuesday morning's meeting of the Public Safety Commission. Firefighters Darrell Summey and Gavin Steele both recently completed a join recruit school that was held in cooperation with the Calhoun Fire Department. 

Caption: Chief Matt Daniel (left) stands with new Dalton firefighters Gavin Steele (center) and Darrell Summey (right)

Darrell Summey is new to the firefighting profession but not to public service. Summey is an Army veteran with three years of active duty service with a combat deployment to Iraq. After his military career, Summey served as a narcotics detective with the Murray County Sheriff's Office where he was a part of an FBI task force.

"Darrell was drawn to the family aspect and team approach inherent to the fire service," said Dalton Fire Chief Matt Daniel. "(He) wanted to join DFD due to the reputation, mindset, and culture of our department." 

Summey is a graduate of Murray County High School. 

Gavin Steele is a graduate of Coahulla Creek High School where he was a multisport standout. He also played college football for two seasons at Maryville College where he studied criminal justice. Other than his time playing for the Scots, Steele has been a lifelong resident of Dalton. Before joining the DFD, he worked for four years as a manager at the Oakwood Cafe.

"Gavin has always wanted a career in public safety as well as a chance to serve within his home community," Chief Daniel said Tuesday. He then added with a laugh, "we made sure that he left (Oakwood owner and state representative) Kasey Carpenter under very good terms." 

The Dalton Fire Department held the most recent recruit school with the Calhoun Fire Department with a total of 11 candidates, 7 of whom completed the challenging training program.