Five Firefighters Promoted To Rank Of Engineer
Tuesday, September 24th, 2024
Five Dalton firefighters had their promotions recognized on Tuesday morning at the monthly meeting of the Public Safety Commission. Bobby Blackwell, Jarred Cronan, Anibal Moran, Austin Payne, and Scott Rafferty were each promoted to the rank of engineer. Their promotions filled positions left vacant last month with the promotion of four new lieutenants for the department.
Caption: (L to R) Chief Matt Daniel poses with Jarred Cronan, Bobby Blackwell, Austin Payne, and Scott Rafferty after a ceremony to recognize their promotions on Tuesday morning (Anibal Moran was unable to attend)
Bobby Blackwell joined the Dalton Fire Department in the summer of 2011. He was recently named as the lead physical fitness instructor for the department's recruit school program after serving as one of the supporting instructors for several years. Fire Chief Matt Daniel pointed out that Blackwell's attitude and demeanor make him ideal for leading recruits for the department and also make him the right choice for promotion to engineer. Blackwell is a 2001 graduate of Murray County High School.
Jarred Cronan has been a member of the DFD since 2015. He's a member of the department's Special Operations Team and holds numerous technician level certifications in technical rescue and hazardous materials response. He's also the lead instructor for the department's rope rescue program and works with the training division to make sure that Dalton's firefighters are ready for that type of rescue response. He is a 2009 graduate of Christian Heritage School.
Anibal Moran also joined the fire department in 2015. Like Cronan, he's a member of the Special Operations Team and is certified in numerous rescue responses. Chief Daniel pointed out Tuesday that Moran's supervising officers have praised the work ethic and pride that Moran shows in being a member of the fire department. He's a 2006 graduate of Calhoun High School.
Austin Payne has been a member of the Dalton Fire Department since January 2017. Chief Daniel noted that Payne has a unique perspective on the department and the fire service having served in several other fire departments around the region before joining Dalton. In his time with the DFD, Payne has proven himself a valuable asset and is a part of the Special Operations Team and is certified in numerous rescue scenarios and hazardous materials response. He's a 2008 graduate of Murray County High School.
Scott Rafferty joined the fire department in August of 2017. In addition to his other duties, Rafferty is the lead technician for the department's self-contained breathing apparatus maintenance and repair program. Beyond keeping the department's critical breathing equipment in good working order, Rafferty is a member of the Special Operations Team and is certified in numerous technical rescue and hazardous materials responses. He is a 2015 graduate of North Murray High School.
The Public Safety Commission voted unanimously to recognize each of the five firefighters for their promotion to engineer.
