The Dalton Fire Department promoted Gary Baggett to the rank of Deputy Chief at Tuesday’s meeting of the Dalton Public Safety Commission. Deputy Chief Baggett’s promotion fills a vacant position left open since Bruce Satterfield was promoted to Chief of the Fire Department in February. Chief Satterfield recommended Baggett for the promotion after a lengthy interview process at the Fire Department. Deputy Chief Baggett was one of six applicants for the position. That field was narrowed to three who were interviewed.
Deputy Chief Baggett started his career with the Dalton Fire Department on October 10, 1985. He’s been promoted through the ranks, most recently serving as a Battalion Chief since September of 2007. Chief Satterfield noted Baggett’s extensive and well-rounded training profile when making his recommendation to the Public Safety Commission. Baggett has many suppression qualifications, and has successfully completed Supervision Training levels 1-3; Leadership Training levels 1-3; National Fire Academy Managing Company Tactical Operations 1 and 2; and is a Georgia POST (Police Officer Standards and Training Council) and Georgia Fire Academy Certified Arson Investigator Level II including explosive investigations. He also holds other training qualifications including: Trench Rescue, Rescue Systems, Hazardous Materials, Incident Command and Instructional Techniques.
"I appreciate all applicants who applied and their credentials they carry and I’m happy to announce that the applicant who best fit the job description of Deputy Chief was Battalion Chief Gary Baggett who is a 24 year veteran with the department," said Fire Department Chief Bruce Satterfield. "I congratulate and welcome Gary Baggett as the Deputy Fire Chief of the department and I look forward to us getting about the business of progressing the department along with the extremely talented and dedicated staff we have."
Four other firefighters were also promoted at Tuesday's meeting:
- Todd Pangle was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. Captain Pangle has been with the Dalton Fire Department since July 1997. He's served as a lieutenant with Battalion 1 since April 2006. Captain Pangle was honored with a departmental commendation for his life-saving efforts during a fire at Park Canyon Apartments in 2002. Captain Pangle's training background is varied and extensive.
- Nathan Saylors was promoted from Firefighter III to Lieutenant. Lt. Saylors has been with the Fire Department since October 2001. He's been a Firefighter Level III with Battalion 1 since April 2006. He was recognized by the Rotary Club as the 2008 Vocational Excellence Award Recipient, and was also recognized by the Whitfield Emergency Medical Service as "First Responder of the Year" in 2006. Lt. Saylors has an array of certifications and a well-rounded training background.
- Gary Stanley was promoted from Engineer to the rank of Firefighter III. Firefighter Stanley started his career with the Dalton Fire Department in April 1999, and has served as an Engineer with Battalion 1 since January 2004. He received a departmental commendation for his life-saving efforts during a fire at Park Canyon Apartments in 2002. He also completed the intense 48-hour F.L.A.M.E.S. (Firefighters Laboring and Mastering Essential Skills) class earlier this month in addition to an already extensive training background.
- Greg Metcalf was also promoted from the rank of Engineer to Firefighter III. With the Dalton Fire Department since November 2001, Firefighter Metcalf served as an Engineer with Battalion 3 since April 2006. He graduated from the F.L.A.M.E.S. class in 2008, and also has an extensive training background.
Below: (first photo) Deputy Fire Chief Gary Baggett shakes hands with Chief Bruce Satterfield; (second photo) Chief Satterfield stands with Firefighter III Greg Metcalf, Captain Todd Pangle, Firefighter III Gary Stanley, and Lt. Nathan Saylors (click images for a larger version)
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