Kerns named Firefighter of the Year

Published 11:45 am Thursday, February 20, 2025

Engineer Douglas Kerns is the Dalton Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year for 2025. The annual honor is awarded by a vote of the department’s personnel. Kerns was honored not just for the outstanding performance of his duties but also for his extensive volunteer work off-duty with fundraising for charities and causes close to the fire service.

“Engineer Kerns began his career with the Dalton Fire Department in January of 2003 at the same time as myself. We were in the same recruit school,” Fire Chief Matt Daniel said while presenting the award during a meeting of the city’s Public Safety Commission. “Douglas shows no hesitation when presented with the opportunity to help any individual in need. It is for his commitment to the community, enthusiasm for the profession and selfless acts that Douglas has been chosen as the city of Dalton’s Firefighter of the Year for 2025.”

Kerns is the founder and president of the Dalton Firefighters Benevolent Fund, which was established in recent years to provide support and assistance to DFD firefighters and retirees and their families in times of need such as during illness, injury or personal hardship.

“Over the last several years he has worked tirelessly to lay the groundwork for the now flourishing Dalton Firefighters Benevolent Fund,” Daniel said. “This requires a level of commitment that speaks volumes about his loyalty to our department and the community we serve.”

Kerns also serves as lead firefighter with the Fight for Air Climb Atlanta fundraiser for the American Lung Association. He is active with the Georgia Smoke Diver Association. He has also served as the vice president of the Georgia Police and Fire Games.

Kerns was presented with an additional honor during the meeting of the Public Safety Commission. Daniel gave Kerns a certificate of commendation for his actions while off-duty last December when he was at an amusement park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and provided first aid and care to a person who had suffered a broken leg.