Vidalia Firefighters Rise in Rank
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During the November 11 meeting of the Vidalia City Council, Vidalia Fire Chief Brian Sikes introduced the council and public to three new firefighters and promoted six firemen to new ranks.
Captain Robert Tillman, who has served on the Vidalia Fire Department for 15 years, was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief, as he was ceremoniously pinned by his wife during the meeting. Sikes presented the new assistant chief with his first official white fire helmet, which signifies his new rank, and spoke about the firefighter.
“This is special to me,” Sikes emphasized. “He has been a dear friend, a dear brother in the fire service, and a lot of things to me.”
In addition to Tillman’s rise in rank, Sikes also held ceremonies for the promotion of five other firefighters, as Lieutenants Jeffery Sapp and Raymond McDonald became Captains, Apparatus Operators Kristopher Owens and John Hammock became Lieutenants, and Firefighter K’leb Crapps became an Apparatus Operator.
Sikes also introduced the council members to Firefighters Trew Shokoh-Alai, Landon Titus, and Nathan McDaniel. These firefighters graduated from the Fire Academy this year and are the most recent hires to the department.
“We are very excited that the fire department is growing and expanding. I work with a great team of people – we work together well, we take care of our problems together, and we face what we need to face for the public,” Sikes concluded.
YOUNG FIREFIGHTERS – Three new hires and a recently promoted young firefighter were introduced to the Vidalia City Council during the November 11 meeting. L to R: Apparatus Operator K’leb Crapps, Firefighter Trew Shokoh-Alai, Firefighter Nathan McDaniel, Firefighter Landon Titus.Photo by Makaylee Randolph
RISING IN RANK – Five Vidalia Firefighters were celebrated for rising into high ranks within the department. L to R: Lieutenant John Hammock, Captain Raymond McDonald, Assistant Chief Robert Tillman, Captain Jeffery Sapp, Lieutenant Kristopher Owens.
