Valdosta Fire Department Chief J.D. Rice recognizes firefighters being promoted as Battalion Chief Jerry Smith holds the new badges and rank insignia during the ceremony held at Station One Monday.

Family members and coworkers gathered at Fire Station No. 1 on South Oak Street Monday to witness a promotion ceremony for some Valdosta firefighters.

Valdosta Fire Department Chief J.D. Rice presided over the ceremony, which recognized nine people.

There were a few laughs and many smiles as Rice shared a short story about each firefighter being promoted.

“This is a great group,” said Rice. “I thank each of them for their hard work and dedication.”

As Rice called up each person, they received their badge, which was pinned on by a family member. Once all nine had received their badges, they joined Rice in reciting the firefighters’ code of ethics.

Promoted from staff sergeant to lieutenant were Ronald “Tyler” Shoemake and Nathan Huffmaster. The other seven firefighters were promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. They are Marcus Haynes, Carolyn McMillan, Isaac Harris, Wade Briggs, Anthony Solberg, Robert Mercer and Jordan Washington. 

Newly promoted McMillan is the third female firefighter the department has had. Her main reason for choosing this line of work five years ago is a personal one.

“Someone told me I couldn’t do it, so I wanted to prove them wrong,” McMillan said.

Not only has she been successful as a firefighter, she has been able to maintain her duties as a

wife and mother of two girls.

“My 18-year-old is graduating from Lowndes High Saturday,” she said, “and I also have an 18-month-old.”

With the 24-hour schedule firefighters have to work, she said it works out perfectly because her husband, Valdosta Fire Department Capt. Frank McMillan, works the opposite days.

“It works out to where we are off together every third day,” she said. “I actually like my schedule of working 24 hours on and 48 hours off because I am able to spend more time with my baby, whereas mothers who work a 9 to 5 day probably don’t get as much.”

McMillan said she could not see herself doing anything else.

“It’s definitely hard in the beginning, but it’s worth it. I love my job.”