Five firefighters promoted to engineer

Published 11:00 am Friday, September 27, 2024

Five Dalton Fire Department firefighters had their promotion recognized Tuesday morning at the monthly meeting of the Public Safety Commission.

Bobby Blackwell, Jarred Cronan, Anibal Moran, Austin Payne and Scott Rafferty were each promoted to engineer. Their promotions filled positions left vacant last month with the promotion of four new lieutenants for the department.

Blackwell joined the Dalton Fire Department in the summer of 2011. He was recently named as the lead physical fitness instructor for the department’s recruit school program after serving as one of the supporting instructors for several years. Fire Chief Matt Daniel pointed out that Blackwell’s attitude and demeanor make him ideal for leading recruits for the department and also make him the right choice for promotion to engineer. Blackwell is a 2001 graduate of Murray County High School.

Cronan has been a member of the fire department since 2015. He’s a member of the department’s Special Operations Team and holds numerous technician level certifications in technical rescue and hazardous materials response. He’s also the lead instructor for the department’s rope rescue program and works with the training division to make sure Dalton’s firefighters are ready for that type of rescue response. He is a 2009 graduate of Christian Heritage School.

Moran joined the fire department in 2015. Like Cronan, he’s a member of the Special Operations Team and is certified in numerous rescue responses. Daniel pointed out Tuesday that Moran’s supervising officers have praised the work ethic and pride Moran shows in being a member of the fire department. He’s a 2006 graduate of Calhoun High School.

Payne has been a member of the Dalton Fire Department since January 2017. Daniel noted Payne has a unique perspective on the department and the fire service, having served in several other fire departments around the region before joining Dalton’s. In his time with the Dalton Fire Department, Payne has proven himself a valuable asset and is a part of the Special Operations Team and is certified in numerous rescue scenarios and hazardous materials responses. He’s a 2008 graduate of Murray County High School.

Rafferty joined the fire department in August 2017. In addition to his other duties, Rafferty is the lead technician for the department’s self-contained breathing apparatus maintenance and repair program. Beyond keeping the department’s critical breathing equipment in good working order, Rafferty is a member of the Special Operations Team and is certified in numerous technical rescue and hazardous materials responses. He is a 2015 graduate of North Murray High School.

The Public Safety Commission members voted unanimously to recognize each of the five firefighters for their promotion to engineer.

Submitted by the city of Dalton.