All year long,

they wear work clothes, heavy protective coats, Star Wars-like masks,

dirty boots. But late in January, they all ­ firefighters, paramedics,

rookies and officers ­ undergo a Cinderella-like transformation.

It's the Annual

Peachtree City Fire Department Awards and Installation banquet.

The men are

sleek in suits and polished shoes. Some wear cummerbunds and dinner jackets.

And the women!

Ah, the women. Hair normally worn up for work is freed to cascade over

bare shoulders. Slender cocktail dresses with spaghetti straps, carefully

applied make-up, and glitter galore turn the women into visions of loveliness.

So here they

are, at the ball ­ or rather, at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference

Center. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres, a sumptuous meal, and then, as names

are called one by one, their peers recognize their year-long efforts.

Who will get

the glass slipper?

Chief Stony

Lohr commends the work of all members, career and volunteer as well. He

recognizes career firefighters who have achieved milestone years in service

and those who have certified in new levels of achievement.

Special recognition

goes to those who completed National Professional Quality courses and

other training, both for firefighting and emergency medical skills.

"The improvement

list comes as a result of those persons completing schools and certifications,"

Lohr says. "The bottom line is that we are emphasizing and supporting

training and education to improve our service to the community and to

make our people more professional. I think we are doing well on that account."

The annual

awards went to the following:

Volunteer

Firefighter of the Year: Josh Crawford

Career Firefighter

of the Year: Clint Murphy

Volunteer

EMS Provider of the Year: Natalie Johnson

Career EMS

Provider of the Year: Joe O'Conor

Volunteer

Rookie of the Year: Gary Half

Volunteer

Officer of the Year: Sam King

Career Officer

of the Year: Dave Williamson

Special appreciation

in the form of floral arrangement was presented to Chief Lohr's wife,

Dee, and to the department's secretarial staff, Maxine Barbour and Wendy

Perritt. Medical adviser, Vicky Schuh, M.D., could not attend, but Lohr

expressed his appreciation of her work with the department.

In addition,

Lohr remembered former firefighter Keith Holman, who died early in January,

and introduced his widow, Susan, also once a volunteer and daughter of

one of the department's founders, Jack Walls.

This is the

fifth year that the Rotary Club of Peachtree City has made a monetary

gift to the fire department honoring their choice for Member of the Year.

Tom Rolka, president-elect for 2003-2004, announced that Fred Bryant would

receive that tribute for the second time.

Bryant has

been active in all areas of the department since joining in 1988. In 2002,

Rolka said, Bryant attended 147 hours of training and responded to 96

calls. A member of the dive team, the HazMat team, and the honor guard,

he also has done more than his share of work in the annual pumpkin sale,

Santa Claus runs, recruiting and community events.

"[Bryant's]

participation, enthusiasm and leadership is appreciated," Rolka said,

"and he has had a positive impact throughout the association and

department."

Because Bryant

was not able to attend the dinner, his award was presented again at a

regular Rotary Club meeting in February.

Lohr swore

in the association's new officers:

President:

Robin Laskey

Vice-president:

Natalie Johnson

Secretary:

Bill Gray

Treasurer:

Gary Half

Fire Representative:

Josh Crawford

EMS Representative:

Jeffery Felmet

Guest speaker

for the dinner was Michael Staley, an award-winning firefighter/paramedic

in Florida until he was struck by several racecars while rendering assistance

during a 1990 race at Daytona. Against all odds, he survived multi-system

trauma and burns.

"While

he was not able to continue a career in the fire service," Lohr said,

introducing Staley, "he has been able to teach, to guide, and to

encourage many others that disasters and horrendous personal events can

become the mechanism for even more miraculous improvements."

Business and

inspiration behind them, and midnight still ahead, it was time to strike

up the music and let the dancing begin.

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