New Recruits Sign On To Cherokee Fire

A slew of new faces have joined Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. Twenty-three new firefighters graduated from recruit school on Dec. 20 at the Sequoyah High School auditorium. 

The evening began with a welcome and introductions by Sgt. Scott Deal followed by an invocation by Fire Chaplain, Dana McPherson. The presentation of colors was provided by the Cherokee County Fire Honor Guard while the national anthem was sung by Rebecca Carlisle. 

The graduation's keynote speaker for the evening was Chief David Kinsell of the Hall County Fire Department.

Before the presentation of the certificates of completion, several of the recruits received special awards: 

• The recipient of the Pinnacle Award for striving to “reach the top” due to dedication and hard-work in the Firefighter Recruit School Class was presented to Joshua McCord. 
• The W. Clark Waters’ Jr. Honor Graduate Award was presented to Joseph El-Bisi. The award was named on behalf of Clark Waters, a Cherokee County firefighter, who passed away in 2004. El-Bisi was given the award in recognition of excellence in academics and leadership.

Cherokee County Commission Chair Buzz Ahrens, Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Robinson and Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather congratulated the new recruits and welcomed them to Cherokee County. Prather also gave the oath of office to the recruits.

Those receiving certificates and badges were: Matthew D. Bennett, Andrew Scott Brooks, Marc D. Burger, Timothy Carter, Corey Deal, Joseph P. El-Bisi, Randy L. Fifield, Jr., Geordan Ganka, Chris George, Alisha Graham, Alexander Henderson, Kevin Henderson, Mark l. Karnbach, Kyle Luttrell, Joshua McCord, Michael Ryan Morgan, William Douglas Osteen, Eric Russell Parr, Christopher L. Robert, Greg W. Tilley, Matthew Satterfield, Scott A. Smith and Nicholas J. Spain. 

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