The Valdosta Daily Times — VALDOSTA — Marcus Haynes was selected by the Valdosta Exchange Club as the Valdosta Firefighter of the Year.
Haynes, 30, joined the Valdosta Fire Department in 2007.
Prior to that, Haynes worked as an assistant supervisor at McKey Lumber Company for 12 years. He said he had wanted to be a firefighter for about five years before finally making the move.
Haynes attended the Valdosta Technical College Firefighter I program and was hired by the Valdosta Fire Department in June of 2007.
Valdosta Fire Chief J.D. Rice said Haynes’ “thirst for knowledge, willingness to work hard, and attention to detail are ... what set him apart from his peers. He demonstrates day in and day out the professional standards all firefighters should emulate.”
Haynes said he was shocked to learn that he was the recipient of the award.
“To be honest, I see myself as just being an employee. I come to work to work, but it’s an added blessing to hear Chief Rice and others I work with say good things about the job I’m doing.”
Haynes is a Georgia certified firefighter, a public fire educator, a certified relief driver and certified in hazmat awareness, according to a press release. He successfully completed all disciplines and is a certified member of the Regional Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) Task Force II team, which he was selected for while still a probationary firefighter because of his strong work ethic and dedication.
Haynes said what he likes most about being a Valdosta firefighter is “being able to help other people, serve the community, and just feel like I’m doing my part.”
He said he’s been blessed.
“I definitely could not have done anything without the guys I work around. They have really kept me under their wing, so to speak.”
Local News
Valdosta’s Firefighter of the Year
Marcus Haynes joined the VFD in June of 2007
- Local News
-
-
VHS Class of 2012 graduates
Valdosta High School’s Class of 2012 gathered Friday night at the Valdosta State University PE Complex to celebrate the graduation of roughly 350 seniors.
-
Qualifying ends
Citizens engaged in their local political landscape will have plenty of options this July and November as dozens of candidates qualified on Friday.
-
Resident escapes from blaze
A citizen escaped an aggressive fire with only minor cuts and bruises Friday afternoon, as wind amplified the flames from the blaze that started inside of his St. Augustine Road residence.
-
Weekend preview with Brittany McClure
Find out what's going on this weekend with Brittany McClure.
-
Popular vendor taken out of the ballparks
With a wagon-load of fresh cakes, hot boiled peanuts and ice-cold bottled water she has witnessed generations of children, or as she refers to them, her angels, grow into adults with children of their own.
-
Three candidates file for election
Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries continue with the addition of a couple new candidates interested in running for elected office.
-
City, county tax discussions stalled
Local Option Sales Tax “negotiations” between city and county officials have descended from open meetings to a stalemate, with no clear agreement on how the estimated $210 million in tax revenue should be split.
-
Valdosta High principal to retire
After one year as Valdosta High School principal, Rufus McDuffie has announced his retirement.
-
South Georgia’s Ace
High above war-torn Germany, World War II fighter ace Donald S. “Bush” Bryan led his flight toward an estimated 50 enemy aircraft.
-
Arraignment set for Quitman 11
The “Quitman Eleven” are scheduled to have an arraignment on May 29, Brooks County Courthouse, according to their attorney, Roy Copeland.
- More Local News Headlines
-
