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Photo
by: Lt. Jerome Johnson / Glynn County Fire Dept |
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Chief Al Thomas takes office. |
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GLYNN COUNTY, GA - He
started out somewhere near the bottom of the fire pole,
and now he's at the top.
Al Thomas,
who began as a volunteer with the Glynn County Fire
Department 27 years ago and has been a full-fledged member
for the past 24 years, was named chief of the department
on Thursday.
"I'm
very pleased. Everything is still spinning right
now," Thomas said. "We have a lot of hard work
and challenges ahead of us with [the Group of 8 summit]
and the normal everyday growth of the county. I'm looking
forward to growing with the department and the
county."
Thomas
has served as acting fire chief since former chief Carl
Johnson retired in December. Prior to that, Thomas was the
department's deputy chief for administration. He is also a
certified paramedic.
His
ascension in the ranks also might inspire others.
"The
employees in the departments already have the knowledge of
the community and the system, and I think it gives [them]
a good sense of belonging when they can move up through
the ranks," Thomas said.
County Administrator Charley Stewart reviewed 35
applications for the position and interviewed four
candidates before recommending to the Glynn County
Commission that Thomas be chosen.
"I
think he's a definite role model for any of those folks in
the county," Stewart said. "It's very rewarding
to name somebody like him. He's applied himself and worked
real hard and risen up the career ladder.
"With
G-8, he's a real positive because of his knowledge of the
community and his skills."
While
Stewart makes the choice of whom to hire, it must be
affirmed by the county commission. That was done
unanimously during the group's Thursday meeting.
"Al
is one of the most dedicated young men you'll find,"
said Commissioner Tommy Clark. "He's a professional
in every sense of the word."
The
county also got a new police chief in December when Matt Doering was promoted to replace the retiring Bob Pittman.
Clark said that the ability to find new leaders already
within the departments is a testament to the training
provided by the former chiefs.
"I
am just so proud of a community where we've got an
overabundance of leadership," he said. "I think
we've got some of the most capable and competent employees
and I would match them up against any community."
Original
article: The Brunswick News
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