Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and Valdosta Fire Chief Freddie Broome honored Lt. Carolyn McMillan and Firefighter Chris Scott as the January 2016 Employees of the Month at the Jan. 7 City Council meeting. Lt. McMillan and Firefighter Scott both received a framed certificate and a check for $200, and their names appears on a plaque displayed in City Hall.
 
Lt. McMillan is responsible for managing the daily operations at the company level, which includes overseeing up to three employees, monitoring tasks during emergency incidents, and upholding the department’s mission, vision and core values. Firefighter Scott is responsible for responding to emergency incidents and providing fire, rescue, medical, hazmat and special rescue services to the citizens of our community.
 
Although not a requirement, the Valdosta Fire Department partnered with Wiregrass Technical College to start training its employees at the Emergency Medical Technician level, thus providing yet another life-saving service for citizens. To supplement classroom lectures, each VFD student also participates in ride-along clinicals with South Georgia Medical Center Emergency Medical Services.
 
While participating in a clinical, Lt. McMillan and Firefighter Scott responded with SGMC EMS on a medical call.  Their recently-acquired EMT skills and knowledge were utilized to assist the EMS workers in saving a citizens life.
 
The City of Valdosta applauds Lt. McMillan and Firefighter Scott for being named the January 2016 Employees of the Month, an award they received for their dedication to protecting and saving lives in our community.