CLARKESVILLE – Habersham County Emergency Services held the agency’s first pinning ceremony for departmental officers last week.
“The badge pinning ceremony is steeped in fire tradition and it refers to the process where public safety officials are presented with a badge associated with their position in the department, usually reserved first when they take their initial oath of office, which the department is starting in 2020 for new hires,” said HCES Assistant Director/Fire Chief Jeff Cain.
“In addition, a badge pinning is also to recognize accomplishments, such as promotions, as we will recognize some of those here today,” Cain said. “Since this is recognizing success, it is meant to be shared with not only department members, but family members, who are also part of our extended emergency services Family and play a very important role in our employee’s career. This pinning ceremony is usually accompanied by a family member, or a significant person in the employee’s life, which could also be a mentor or other chief officer who played a role in the employees’ career.”
Company officers recognized and pinned included Lt. Joseph Deal, A-Shift; Lt. Brandon Fields, B-Shift; and Lt. Christopher “Mack” Palmer, C-Shift.
Deal has 10 years of service, including three with Habersham County. He was pinned by his fiancée Monica Dean.
Fields has 18 years of service and been with HCES since the merger on April 15, 2018. He was pinned by his daughter Cecelia.
Palmer has 12 years of service, 14 months with Habersham County. He was pinned by his father Bruce Palmer.
Captains recognized include Michael Alexander, Doug Caudell, Bill Ramsey and Jeff Adams.
Alexander has more than 32 years of service and has been with HCES since the merger. He was pinned by HCES Director Chad Black.
Caudell has 36 years, seven months of service and has been with HCES since the merger. He was pinned by Black.
Ramsey has 36 years, eight months of service and has been with HCES since the merger. He was pinned by Black.
Adams has 28 years of service and has been with HCES since the merger. He serves as the administrative captain and was pinned by his wife Sharon.
Battalion chiefs recognized included Jason Garrett, Matt Ruark and Dwight McNally.
Garrett has 26 years of service, 20 with Habersham County. He was pinned by his wife Melissa.
Ruark has 18 years of service with Habersham County. He was pinned by his wife April.
McNally has 18 years of service, 17 with Habersham County. He was pinned by his wife Jenny.
Assistant Chief Jason Davey also was recognized.
Davey has 27 years of service, 20 with Habersham County. He was pinned by his wife Tinnelle.
But, as Cain said, departmental officers were not the only ones honored during the ceremony. Responders’ families also received words of recognition and encouragement from several county officials.
Habersham County Commission Chairman Stacy Hall spoke directly to family members, acknowledging their contributions, support and sacrifice for their loved ones who serve the residents and visitors of the county.
“I cannot begin to tell you how many times at the post office, at Ingles, at Walmart, at the car wash, wherever I go, how many people stop me and thank me for the quality service and level of professionalism, for the unselfish acts of heroism that your loved ones exhibit each and every day, for no other reason than to keep the rest of us safe,” Hall said. “I want to thank the families for giving up time with their loved ones. I know it’s not easy, and I know it’s difficult and I know it’s a huge sacrifice on your part, but I also want you to know that that sacrifice is not in vain. This county is well protected. We have a shield around us because of the sacrifices that your loved one is making.”
County Manager Phil Sutton expressed gratitude on behalf of the county.
“I just want to say thank you from the commission as a whole and from the management team,” Sutton said. “We appreciate everything that you do every day. You put a lot of time and effort into your training. We have 42 different agencies that have to work together, and we really do appreciate the teamwork that it takes to bring all the resources. We appreciate everything that you do every single day.”
Black echoed other speakers.
“For the families and our employees, you mean the world to us,” Black said. “We appreciate you, we love you, and you are what makes this department. Again, for the other departments of law enforcement and fire, y’all mean a lot to us. We know we have to work together and we appreciate you and all the department heads and everybody else that came today.”
