Welcome to the P.C.F.D. news section. Here you will find current information about the services we have been providing to the community as well as events within the department. If you need further information about an incident we have responded to or are a member of the news media, please contact the Peachtree City Public Information Officer (PIO) or Fire Chief's office for an official statement. No portion of the P.C.F.D. news section may be reproduced without consent of the P.C.F.D. or P.C.V.F.A.
 

Peachtree City Fire Department Sergeant Jonathan Kempler recently completed a rigorous course of study at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy. The 11 week program instructs students in all aspects of law enforcement including arrest procedures, criminal law, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations and firearms training. Sgt. Kempler graduated as a 'Top Gun' in firearms training, scoring an average of over 90% and received an overall academic score of 97% in the class. Sgt. Kempler will now function as a State of Georgia certified Police Officer as part of his regular duties.

The second recruit class of 2008 graduated Tuesday evening, December 15th at Station 81. The newest certified firefighters for PCFD are Justin Haynes, Darrell Hood, Justin Kealhofer, Joshua Lowery, Robby Shelton and Richard Swanger. This recruit class was taught by the PCFD career firefighters from B Shift; the lead instructor was FF/PMDC Chad Matheny.  The course took approximately six months to complete.

Chief Eiswerth and Asst. Chief O'Conor led the graduation ceremony and both expressed their gratitude to all of the instructors as well as to the recruits for their hard work and dedication. Former Captain Tom Hughey, who retired this past October, was the guest speaker for the graduation and PCVFA president-elect Natalie Johnson also spoke to the attendees.

Congratulations to our new firefighters!

Firefighter/Paramedic Steven Atkins recently participated in a rigorous six day course at the Georgia Fire Academy. The course is designed for the experienced firefighter who desires realistic training in self-survival, firefighter rescue, advanced search & rescue, thermal imaging, emergency procedures, teamwork, discipline and how to function within elements of the Incident Command System. The program condenses and replicates the extreme demands that may be placed on firefighters during multi-day operations such as catastrophic disasters and acts of terrorism.  Additionally, emphasis is placed on the potential day-to-day challenges firefighters may face such as multiple-alarm fires or multiple fires within a single shift. The course is the most physically and mentally challenging program offered by the Georgia Fire Academy. The program has a long history in the state of Georgia and throughout the nation. While the course has been continually updated to keep it on the leading edge of firefighting technology and firefighter safety, the core of the program remains the same as the original course developed in 1978. The Peachtree City Fire Department would like to congratulate Firefighter/Paramedic Atkins on his accomplishment.

Peachtree City Fire Department responded to the Braelinn Court subdivision to residential building fire at shift change on Tuesday morning, October 21, 2008.  Arriving units reported heavy smoke from the structure; however the damage was limited to the clothes dryer.  The home was occupied at the time of the incident, but there were no reported injuries.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Peachtree City Police, Fire & EMS and Public Works personnel responded Monday afternoon, September 15, 2008, to assist a citizen whose golf cart was struck by a falling tree in a natural area of Peachtree City.  The tree, approximately 18” in diameter, fell across the golf cart narrowly missing a direct blow to the occupant.  The occupant was treated by Peachtree City paramedics before being flown by helicopter to Atlanta Medical Center’s Trauma Unit for emergency care.

Several members of the Peachtree City Fire Department along with members from other various city departments attended NIMS (National Incident Management System) level 300 course. The course was conducted by the Texas Engineering Extension Service of Texas A&M University System and in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security. The three day program introduces participants to the management procedures for expanding incidents. The curriculum also includes instruction in unified command, establishing incident objectives, incident resource management, the planning process, and demobilization. This training allows P.C.F.D. members to operate more effectively within the incident command system while conforming to national standards.

07/13/2008
Officers Attend Training Seminar

The Officer corps of the Peachtree City Fire Department recently participated in a fire officer development seminar offered by Chief Ron Dennis. The seminar, held at city hall, was also attended by members of numerous local jurisdictions. Each officer of the P.C.F.D. attends a monthly training session where they can hone their skills in effective fire service leadership.

Explorer Post 209 recently returned from Illinois Fire College.  The Post had 10 Explorers and 3 adult leaders attend “Explorer Fire Cadet Hands on Training” which was conducted between June 25th-30th, 2008.  Post 209 is supported by the Peachtree Fire Department and the Peachtree City Volunteer Firefighters Association.  The Post was started in 1988 and presently has 25 Explorers, both young women and men, between the ages of 14-18.  The Post Advisor is Sgt. Andy Lee supported by FF/EMT Josh Crawford, FF/EMT Eric Furey, FF/EMT Natalie Johnson, FF Chris Stephens, Sgt Stephanie Furey and FF Candy Baczkowski.  Many other members of the department help in classes and the meetings which are conducted every week. 

The following is an excerpt from their travel diary:

On June 25^th 2008, the adventure started at 05:00 A.M. which was the report time for the Explorers.  After everyone got to Station 81 we loaded up and left for the trip.  We stopped for breakfast at Chick-Fil-A who had given us free meal tickets for breakfast and lunch.  The first part of or road trip took us to the Chickamauga Battle Field. We showed the kids a view into our National history and it darkest days. We reminded them that those who forget history repeat it. Lunch was again at Chick-Fil-A (Chick-Fil-A of Kedron was a sponsor fro this trip). Our next leg took us to the “Land between the Lakes.”  We went to the rock formations off of the Tennessee River and did some rock climbing. The kids loved it. We then went to the Land Between the Lakes National Park and camped for the night.

Second day:  We broke camp and departed to Champaign, Illinois where the Fire College is located.  We arrived with a break for lunch around 1400 and checked in.  There were over 400 other Explorers attending the College.  Most of the kids took a rest and got ready for the Liquid Petroleum “live burn training” scheduled for that night. This training fire lasted around 5 hours long.  The next day we started Truck and Engine “operations” training.  The smoke, heat and fire were an eye opener for all the Explorers. We finished the day and continued the entire third day with these operations.  

Forth day: The fires and heat/smoke were as real as they could be.  This day proved to be the toughest for the kids.

I must tell you that our kids were called "the best and toughest group" there. I was most proud of our young ladies as they did a great job as our team leaders. Anna Biasini was called “GI Jane” by two “truckmen” from Chicago Fire Department (there were instructors). This young person was so impressive, that the college director called me to the side and ask me my training technique. I then explained teamwork and that we based our leadership on the USMC model, where everyone knows the next person's job.  I also pointed out that our Career and Volunteers firefighters had worked as a team to train them and “No one person could take credit.”  The changes made to our training (i.e. the level of training and the intensity of it) proved to set us apart from the crowd. In the words of the Instructors, "Give them the whole 9 yards and these kids can handle it".  I can't say enough about how proud of them I am. The Explorer Post would like to thank the following sponsors and supporters of this wonderful training experience: Dr. Vicky Schuh, Chick-Fil-A of Kedron, Peachtree City Volunteer Firefighters Association, Peachtree City Fire Department, Mel Duhon (father of one of the Explorers) and FF/EMT Josh Crawford (both were chaperones for this trip).

For more information please contact the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542 or visit our website at www.ptcrecreation.org or on the City website at www.peachtree-city.org.

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Construction has begun at P.C.F.D. station 83 in Braelinn Village. The addition and renovation of the station is expected to take less than 120 days. Once completed the station will feature sleeping quarters for up to seven Firefighters, a fitness facility, and renovated day room and kitchen. Check in with PCFDtv for regular updates on the construction progress.

01/26/2008
Officers Installed and P.C.F.D. Members Honored

The Peachtree City Fire Department recently held its annual installation dinner at Glendalough Manor to install new P.C.V.F.A. board members and to honor the exceptional service of certain personnel. Those recognized included:

P.C.V.F.A. Board:

Les Dyer, President
Gary Half, Vice-President
Ed Martin, Treasurer
Justin Corley, Secretary
Cheryl Walls, Fire Representative
Jonathan Kempler, EMS Representative
Chad Matheny, Career Representative

Service Awards:

Marty Cofield, P.C.F.D. Firefighter of the Year
Royce Miller, P.C.F.D. EMS Provider of the Year
Jeffrey Felmet, Officer of the Year
Kevin McMullen, Rookie of the Year
Natalie Johnson, Volunteer Firefighter of the Year
Carey Richardson, Part-Time Firefighter of the Year
Justin Corley, Volunteer EMS Provider of the Year
Les Dyer, Volunteer Officer of the Year
Brandon Hall, Explorer of the Year