Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and Fire Chief Freddie Broome honored Sgt. Charles Jones and Sgt. Timothy Stubbs as the November 2014 Employees of the Month at the Nov. 6 City Council meeting.  Sgt. Jones and Sgt. Stubbs received framed certificates, a check for $200 each, and their names appear on a plaque that is displayed inside of City Hall.

Sgt. Jones and Sgt. Stubbs have been serving the Valdosta Fire Department since 2005 and have both gone above and beyond the call of duty to better serve the VFD. 

The Training Division recently saw a need for a training prop that would allow the department to sponsor a Firefighter II class, which is a stepping stone for the department. After hearing of this need, Sgt. Jones used his personal vehicle to deliver donated propone tanks to build a flammable liquids prop and a pressurized container prop. After receiving the tanks, a concrete slab was needed for the tanks to sit on.

Sgt. Jones made arrangements for a concrete company to pour a slab at the training center, acquired large light poles, and located another company to supply the rocks to complete the area. 

Once the training prop was complete, the pressurized container would not stay lit during training burns. With his excellent knowledge of mechanical design and welding, Sgt. Stubbs quickly put his skills to work devising a solution for the Training Division.  On his off-duty time, he provided all the materials needed to create a newly designed burner and affixed it to the pressurized container prop.  The American Propane Contractors company has since contacted Sgt. Stubbs and is interested in using his design for future pressurized cylinder props that they may build.

The total cost of implementing these two props was $2,500, saving the department a significant amount of money and helping them reach the department’s training goal.

The City of Valdosta applauds Sgt. Jones and Sgt. Stubbs for their dedication and for being named the November 2014 Employees of the Month.