Two Awards to be Presented to Fire Department

Posted Thursday, October 20, 2005

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This evening, the Forsyth County Fire Department will be presented with two esteemed awards from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. The Community Service Firemark Award and the Heroic Firemark Award will be presented to Fire Chief Danny Bowman at the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday, October 20. This will be the first time in the history of the awards that a fire department will be receiving both awards at the same time.

"I am so very proud of our troops in the Forsyth County Fire Department," said Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman. "Receiving these two prestigious awards underscores the talent, dedication, and bravery exhibited by each and every firefighter within the department."

Community Service Firemark Award

In 1986, Liberty Mutual introduced its Community Service Firemark Award. This award recognizes those firefighters who have demonstrated commitment to their local community by going above and beyond their daily responsibilities. Since its inception, more than 150 Community Service Firemark Awards have been presented.

Forsyth County Fire was selected to receive the Community Service Firemark Award for their assistance to Gulf Coast residents in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Four of the department’s wildland firefighters traveled to Waveland, Mississippi and were assigned to Stennis Space Center and tasked to Camp Glenn. Their primary assignments were to handle the off-loading, storing and distribution of much needed supplies to residents and rescue workers in the area.

Additionally, one Battalion Chief participated in a second deployment to Camp Glenn and was tasked with the position of Logistics Chief for suppression operations in Hancock County. His primary duties included providing fire suppression units with tools and apparatus to effectively protect their respective territories.

The Fire Department also conducted a Boot Drive over Labor Day weekend, raising $51,341.88 for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Those funds were recently presented to The Place of Forsyth County to assist evacuees locally.

Heroic Firemark Award

Liberty Mutual sponsors the Heroic Firemark Award to recognize those firefighters who assisted in a lifesaving effort without due regard for their own personal safety. Since 1996 Liberty Mutual has presented nearly 100 Heroic Firemark Awards.

Forsyth County Fire was chosen for the Heroic Firemark Award in recognition of the lifesaving trench rescue performed by the department’s Technical Rescue Team in November 2004. The 15-person team worked with the assistance of crews from Gwinnett and Cobb Counties for over twelve hours to free a man who had become trapped up to his neck after the trench in which he had been working suddenly collapsed.

"The Forsyth County Fire Department personnel are dedicated employees who exemplify teamwork, integrity and a genuine concern for the citizens of Forsyth County," said Liberty Mutual Sales Representative Michelle Joyce. "We applaud them for their continued effort and success."

In addition to the commemorative plaques which will be presented to the Forsyth County Fire Department, the department’s name will be added to master plaques hanging in the local Liberty Mutual office.

History of the Firemark

As early as the 1600s, homeowners posted a firemark emblem prominently on the front of their home to identify it as being insured for fire. Insurance companies maintained their own fire brigades and would prioritize homes in the event of a fire based on the display of a firemark. It then became extremely important for homeowners to have a firemark in order to save their home from fire. Liberty Mutual Firemark awards are given annually to firefighters throughout the country who best represent their communities through courageous valor and who best demonstrate the firefighter's selfless spirit. For more information on Liberty Mutual, please visit www.libertymutual.com.

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