Local News

New Fire Chief Takes the Helm

Eddie Robinson is the new fire chief for Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services. Robinson, who formerly served as deputy chief of support services, is succeeding Tim Prather, who served Cherokee County for 35 years.

“When reviewing the applications and interviewing for the fire chief position, Chief Robinson stood out as a natural successor to Chief Prather,” County Manager Geoff Morton said. “He brings substantial institutional knowledge to the role, having served with fire and emergency services since 1994, including the last 11 years at headquarters.”

Robinson said it’s an honor to have the trust and support of county leadership.

“I have had the privilege of serving the residents of Cherokee County for many years, alongside some amazing firefighters, from the individual stations to headquarters,” Robinson said. “I have dedicated my life to the American fire service, and to the residents of our wonderful county, and I will lead the department to the best of my ability, with the help of some of the best men and women that the fire service can have.”

Mayor Bill Grant (second from left), Councilors Brooke Schmidt, Sandy McGrew, Dwayne Waterman and City Manager Billy Peppers, with GMA Executive Director/CEO Larry Hanson (far right) and Georgia Trend Co-Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Ben Young (far left).

Canton Honored With Visionary City Award

Canton was given the Visionary City Award during the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) 2022 Cities United Summit; GMA and Georgia Trend magazine presented the city with the honor, for the city’s Roadmap for Success initiative. The award honors cities that have created positive community change through effective civic engagement and collaboration.

“The city of Canton is extremely honored to receive the Visionary City Award from the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Trend magazine,” said Mayor Bill Grant. “This prestigious recognition for our city’s forward thinking, collaboration and civic engagement is a true testament to the exemplary leadership our Council and management team have demonstrated with the creation and implementation of our Roadmap for Success.

“While this award is a high honor, it is even more gratifying to have other cities and leaders in Georgia contacting us to learn how Canton’s Roadmap and vision can help them move their own communities forward. This is truly leading with success, and we are humbled by this special recognition.”

History Cherokee Launches Black History Committee

History Cherokee has established a Black History Committee, which will be dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of Black history in Cherokee County. The goal is to collect the stories, images and artifacts from the earliest settlement to today, and to make sure these stories are told.

“The history of Black people is often overlooked. When it comes to collection and preservation, elements of Black history get disregarded by the institutions that decide whose history gets saved and whose doesn’t — and we want to do our part in changing that in Cherokee County,” said Harvee White, History Cherokee’s education manager.

History Cherokee already has made exciting headway on this commitment to Cherokee County’s Black history, as it prepares for the opening of the Cherokee County History Center. Currently, staff is working to create a documentary with a Georgia film crew and local civil rights activists, covering the integration of the former Canton Theatre. Visitors will find this documentary at the Cherokee County History Center when it opens this summer.

The integration of the Canton Theatre is just one example of a vast history to preserve and share, and History Cherokee needs help to do it. Led by White and a few volunteers committed to the Black History Committee’s mission, the group plans on digging deeper, to preserve and share the Black stories of Cherokee County.

To join History Cherokee’s Black History Committee, contact White at hwhite@ historycherokee.org.

Moving Reunion for Firefighters, Patients

Citizens who were rescued by Cherokee County firefighters in two life-saving events were able to thank them in person during a special recognition ceremony at Fire Station 19. Firefighters Jordan Allred, Reece Young and Mathew Hutcherson were presented with EMS awards from Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, along with Cobb County Firefighters James Watson and Demetrius Carlyle.

On Nov. 23, Cobb County Engine 11 was covering for Cherokee County Fire Station 19, so personnel could attend the funeral of Justin and Amber Hicks. Engine 11 and Cherokee County Squad 19 were dispatched to the scene of a cardiac arrest later that day. According to EMS Chief Nate Sullivan, “They arrived to find a patient in cardiac arrest and went to work. These crews that had never worked together before performed flawlessly. Their efforts resulted in the patient regaining his pulse and actually speaking to the crew before arrival at the hospital. After the call, the Cobb County firefighters realized that the patient was a retired member of Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services.”

The patient walked out of the

From left, Lt. Jordan Allred, a cardiologist with Kennestone Hospital, the patient, along with James Watson and Demetrius Carlyle, firefighters with Cobb County.

hospital a week later, and shook the hands of his rescuers. “Our firefighters do spectacular work every day, but this event was more special and challenging than most. The opportunity to meet a cardiac arrest patient that was rescued is a once-in-a-career event. I’m grateful that the patient was able to make it to the recognition ceremony, shake the hands of his rescuers, and share his story,” Sullivan said.

A few days later, Engine 19 and Squad 19 responded to another cardiac emergency. The engine arrived a few minutes before the squad, and the crew of the engine began their assessment and recognized the extent of the patient’s emergency and the timesensitive nature. The crew began treatment and used their cardiac monitor to obtain an EKG and transmit the EKG to the hospital, while at the patient’s side in his home. Squad 19 arrived and treated and transported the patient to the hospital. Because of the advance notice of the nature of the illness, the patient was able to bypass the emergency room and go directly to the cardiac catheterization lab. The patient spent weeks in the ICU undergoing some of the most advanced cardiac procedures in the state.

“This event was a perfect example of the entire system working together flawlessly,” Sullivan said. “This event highlights the importance of citizens calling 911 if they suspect a cardiac emergency. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services has welltrained paramedics and EMTs on every apparatus, with the equipment, medications and knowledge to make the difference between life and death.”

Deputy Chief of Operations Shane West, left, Sgt. Matthew Hutcherson, Firefighter Reece Young and Lt. Jordan Allred speak with the patient and his wife.