On October 14, 2024, 12 fire department officers representing four different agencies embarked on a journey that will be indelibly etched in the memories. They took part in Georgia’s Inaugural Company Officer Program hosted by the Chatham County Fire Department. Division Chief Joshua Anderson developed the weeklong curriculum that involved classroom work, guest speakers, practical fire application and live training.

According to Chief Anderson, the primary goal of the program was to bring everyone to the same conclusion and that is, ‘We do this for them’. “The culture of the Fire Service is something we talk about quite often and the leadership qualities have been a part of that culture for a very long time. Whether you are leading your crew on a three-story apartment building fire, doing a smoke detector install, eating a family dinner or doing company training the leadership mentality has to be present to keep things organized and safe,” said Anderson.

“As a company officer you are the change the Fire Service needs. The responsibility you take on from moving up in rank is more than just the pay and uniform. It is the decision-making process you make daily that benefits your house, your battalion, or your company. The influence you hold in that position is one that can move the behaviors and moral to levels you never believed. When that tone goes off you may or may not have to perform tactical level skills on that scene but your people might have to,” Anderson said.

Chief Anderson points to the success of the program by recognizing all who took part in it, Hornet Fire training Battalion Chief Jonah Smith and Captain Aaron Lovett, Liberty County Training Chief JR Ashdown, Pooler Fire Rescue Training Chief Ian Schulte, CCFD Captain Andrew Ulmer, CCFD Captain Jordan Johnson, CCFD Safety Captain Matthew Cary, Swainsboro Fire Chief Ali Mims and the guidance and direction from Rick Dunn, The South Carolina Firefighters Association and SC FOA 24-01 Cadre and officers.

Four members of the Chatham County Fire Department who graduated the program include Lt. Brad Neverson, Lt. Benjamin Perkins, Lt. Andrew Lee and Training Coordinator Jonathan Campbell.

Three members of the Pooler Fire Department include Firefighter Clint Clemens, Firefighter Evan Betz and Lt. Ryan Dewey.

Three members of the Liberty County Fire Department include Lt. Chelsea Kay, Lt. Colin MacGregor and

Lt. Jay Carter.

Two members of the Bryan County Emergency Services include Lt. Caleb Achen and Firefighter Danny Morris.