This past week, I had the honor of standing alongside my brothers and sisters at the 2025 Public Safety Valor Awards hosted by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce. Company 2 was awarded the Lifesaving Award for our quick response in treating and transporting a critically injured MARTA bus driver. The crew recognized included Sgt. Chardac, Sgt. Jonathan Dewberry, Sgt. Marshall Baumgartner, Firefighter Ashley Alvarez, Firefighter Jarius Harris, and myself.
Now I want to be real with you. I don’t do this job expecting awards, pats on the back, or even a thank you. As cheesy as it might sound helping people is just something God put inside me. It’s who I am as a person. When the alarm goes off I’m not thinking about recognition…I’m thinking about the person waiting on us to show up. Well aslong as its a real emergency lol jk jk. But I’ll admit, hearing our names called and receiving this honor meant a lot. Sometimes it’s good to step out of the “war zone” mindset we live in as first responders and be reminded that what we’re doing is making a difference.
Sitting in that room and listening to other stories of courage reminded me of something important, the world is not all bad. There are good people doing great things every day, and many of them don’t make the news. This award ceremony gave us a chance to hear those stories and celebrate the fact that in the middle of all the chaos, hope and bravery are still alive.
I want to say congratulations to everyone who was recognized. Every story shared was powerful, and every person honored deserves that spotlight. To the organizers and supporters of this event, thank you. It meant more than you know.
But as much as I enjoyed this moment, I also know the work isn’t done. Somewhere out there right now, someone needs us. Someone is counting on us to show up, to put aside fear, and to give everything we’ve got. That’s the reality of the job…..it never stops.
So yes I’ll hold on to this moment. I will enjoy this moment. I will understand that it’s just a moment. I’ll remember it as a reminder that what we do matters. But tomorrow and the day after that, and the day after that, the calls for help will come again and again. And when it does, we will be ready.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about awards, it’s about service. It’s about answering the call, standing with my crew and making sure that when someone’s worst day comes, we’re there to bring them hope.
