BALDWIN – Baldwin Fire Department has a new second in command, but he’s no stranger to the city.
Chad Keener was formally promoted to assistant fire chief by Fire Chief Joe Roy during Monday night’s Baldwin City Council meeting.
Keener started volunteering as a firefighter in Stephens County when he turned 18, Roy said.
“He stayed with Stephens County for 11 years, then went full-time as a firefighter with the City of Toccoa and stayed four years there,” Roy said.
Keener began working part-time at Baldwin Fire Department in 2010, before moving to a full-time position in March 2013.
“Over the next seven years, Chad continued to prove himself and received promotions, up to the rank of captain in April 2016,” Roy said. “Over the last seven years, Chad has been directing the City of Baldwin Fire Department Fire Prevention Program for the children at Baldwin Elementary School and Habersham [Head Start/] Pre-K School.”
Keener also is credited with beginning Baldwin Public Safety Day, which will celebrate its fifth year on Saturday, May 23, and the Baldwin Smoke Detector Program.
“Chad has also started, three years ago, working with the police department getting the elderly people at Habersham Retreat a gift basket during Christmastime as a token of appreciation for their lives,” Roy said. “He’s done a lot for this community. He’s done a lot for this department.”
Following the meeting, Keener talked about his promotion to assistant chief and his heritage in the fire service.
“As a kid, my dad was a fireman, and it’s been a part of life ever since,” Keener said. “I guess to me it’s kind of a thing you’re born into. You don’t really wake up one day and decide you’re going to do it. I went to Toccoa – that’s where my dad started.”
One of the Baldwin Fire Department programs that means the most to Keener is the city’s Shop with a Hero that is a cooperative effort between fire and the police department.
Funded through community donations and fundraisers, the shopping day allows firefighters and police officers to take select children, determined with the help of the school system based on need, shopping for personal items and Christmas presents.
“I really enjoy the kids as far as the fire prevention, and then us and the police department work together to take them shopping,” Keener said. “It’s just amazing the program we have when we carry them shopping, to see those kids go in and actually be so happy just to get new shoes or a jacket, or clothes. That makes it worth it all.”
