The Milton Fire-Rescue Department recently celebrated many of its own – including those who have earned promotions, saved lives, and gone above-and-beyond in other ways – highlighted by Firefighter of the Year Samuel Hiatt and Company Officer of the Year Capt. Ryan James.

The ceremony took place late the afternoon of Friday, October 24, at City Hall. Members of Milton Fire-Rescue’s team and several other departments packed Council Chambers, with many of their loved ones in attendance as well.

Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa kicked things by welcoming everyone to the event. He touted the hard work, positive attitude, and community spirit of those who work in his department – particularly the award winners.

“Each of you represents the very best of who we are,” Benmoussa said.

He was followed by Mayor Peyton Jamison, who lauded firefighters for their compassion, skill, and calm under pressure. The Mayor praised the Chief and his command staff, each group of honorees, and Milton firefighters overall.

As Jamison said, “Milton is a safer and stronger city because of the people in this room.”

After a recitation of the Firefighters Prayer and a moment of silence for fallen firefighters, two relatively recent retirees – Deputy Chief Mark Stephens and Captain Mark Slyman – were recognized. So, too, were those who have been promoted such as:

• James Binkley, Nicholas DeSantis, Tanner Herron, Wesley Korsch, Vinny Rosenberger, Jeremy Webster, and Alec Youngblood – all as Fire Apparatus Operators
• Assistant Fire Marshal Justin Steele
• Captains Nicholas Armenta, Joe Champion, Todd Clark, and Roberto Sanchez; Sid Davis was promoted to Captain/Deputy Fire Marshal
• Division Chief-Medical Services Mark Haskins
• Division Chief-Fire Marshal Andrew Kennedy
• Battalion Chief Marc Brown
• Deputy Chief Richard Bushman

Then came the awards portion of Friday’s ceremony, with these honors given out:

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD to Matt Marietta – a longtime Milton firefighter, most recently as Deputy Chief, who is now Milton’s Human Resources Director

RECOGNITION AWARD to the dedicated, impactful men and women volunteers of the Milton Volunteers Fire Corps.

Outgoing Milton First Responders Foundation President Brian Dolan and that non-profit as a whole were recognized as well. Police Chief Jason Griffin talked about the difference that organization makes in the lives of Milton firefighters and police officers, saying, “I’m sure everyone in this room has felt the love.”

FIRE CHIEF COMMANDATION to Derek Hofmann – a Firefighter, Paramedic, (after extensive studies and work) Registered Nurse, and leader of the Fire CARES program. According to Benmoussa, Hofmann routinely exceeds expectations and is “very much committed to this program.”

UNIT CITATION to those firefighters who responded to a May 2024 head-on collision that caused serious injuries, with one person needing to be extricated from their vehicle that was down a steep embankment

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE to Milton firefighters who covered for Station 18 in Dunwoody so that nearby department’s members could attend a funeral for one of their own.

LIFE-SAVING AWARDS to those who responded to medical emergencies that, thanks to their efforts, ultimately ended with patients’ survival so they could spend more time with their loved ones. Deputy Chief Alex Fortner pointed to eight such successful instances over a two-year period.

These life-savers are James Binkley, Josh Boone, Marc Brown, Logan Campbell, Joe Champion, Sid Davis, Nicholas DeSantis, Danny Elliott, Tim Farnell, Kameron Forrister, Tanner Herron, Samuel Hiatt, Ryan James, Timothy Jones, Wesley Korsch, Logan Meadows, Josh Payne, Scot Richardson, Alex Roberts, Vinny Rosenberger, Roberto Sanchez, Agata Sarkis, William Stewart, Chris Thorne, Chase Woodruff.

Brown, Campbell, and Champion were involved in three such calls, while Boone, Elliot, Stewart, Thorne, and Woodruff were part of two apiece. Milton Police officers – sometimes the first on the scene starting CPR and other medical interventions – were among those saluted on Friday as well, specifically Josh Harrell and Reid Rhodes.

FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR to Samuel Hiatt. In their nominations of him, peers described Hiatt as someone who is always professional, dependable, and positive, adding that he’s a “strong role model” who “makes the crew better every day.”

COMPANY OFFICER OF THE YEAR to Capt. Ryan James. He earned this distinction for his “exceptional dedication to his crew,” which extolled him for leading by example and taking the time to listen. One firefighter said that Ryan “pushes me to keep going,” while another said, “Our crew feels like a family through and through.”

Thanks to the Milton First Responders Foundation for their generous support for Hiatt and James for their awards. And congratulations to each of this year’s Milton Fire-Rescue honorees!