Hall County Fire Services honors fellow professionals, young citizen at awards banquet

Hall County Fire Services (HCFS) honored the heroes among its ranks, as well as one very young civilian, at its 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony Thursday night in Gainesville.

The yearly ceremony, launched last year by Fire Chief Jeff Hood, serves to recognize those employees who have saved a life or performed above and beyond the call of duty. Awards presented during the ceremony included Medical and Cardiac Lifesaving Awards, Rescue Awards, Chief’s Awards, Firefighter of the Year, EMT of the Year, Paramedic of the Year and Officer of the Year, along with various Unit Citations.

Hall County Fire Services and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office also recognized Yvonne Correa, the 9-year-old girl who saved her siblings from a burning home earlier this year. Yvonne received a Civilian Valor Award and Life Saving Medal.

Battalion Chief Tyler Dorsey was presented with a Chief's Award for his role in organizing a Firefighter for the Day event for 4-year-old Sean Robertson through the Make-A-Wish Foundation in November. Sean was diagnosed at the age of 10 months with an incurable genetic disease, which causes tumors to wrap around the nerves of his body. Sean was able to join the brotherhood of Hall County Fire Services on November 16, 2015. Sean presented Chief Dorsey with his award.

Others who were honored at the event included:

Medical Lifesaving Awards:         

• Paramedic Stephen Sears
• EMT Jason Clark
• Paramedic Jonathan Baker
• EMT Stockton Trotman

Cardiac Lifesaving Awards:         

• Paramedic Jonathan Baker                                                   
• Paramedic John Murray                                               
• Paramedic Teddy Jarrard                                                     
• Paramedic Stephen Sears                                                     
• Paramedic John Hornick                                                     
• EMT Vic Mills                                                     
• Paramedic Lee Moon                                                     
• EMT Tyler Brady

Firefighter of the Year:                

• Sgt. Ryan Beasley

EMT of the Year:                          

• EMT Justin Blanchard

Paramedic of the Year:                

• Paramedic Dwight Emmett

Officer of the Year:                      

• Lt. Ed Ryan

Hall County Fire Chief Jeff Hood (left) and Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch (right) present a Civilian Valor Award and Life Saving Medal to Yvonne Correa. The 9-year-old saved herself and her younger siblings from a burning home earlier this year. (Photo submitted by HCFS)

Sean Robertson, age 4, presented the Chief's Award to Battalion Chief Tyler Dorsey. Chief Dorsey was instrumental in helping Sean realize his wish of becoming a firefighter via the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sean suffers from a rare genetic disorder where tumors wrap themselves around his nerves. Also pictured are Deputy Fire Chief Chad Black (holding Sean) and Assistant Chief Rod Wilson (far right).

http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/2/371330/hall-county-fire-services-honors-fellow-professionals-citizens-at-awards-banquet