DeKalb Fire Department’s First Female Officer Receives Honorary Lifetime Membership

January 23, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s first female officer has been honored with the 2022 Town & Lake Realty Honorary Lifetime Membership Award.

Lieutenant Kristie Johnson received the award during Saturday’s annual department banquet. Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor. Johnson was named Lieutenant in 2019.

Each year, the Department’s Executive Committee accepts and reviews applications for Honorary Lifetime Memberships. This is a very distinguished award and recipients are selected by the Department’s Executive Committee based on strict merits of their service and contributions to the department.

Jeff Williams, a previously awarded Honorary Lifetime Member presented this year’s award.

“Lt. Kristie Johnson has served as a firefighter, station commander, Safety Officer and Lieutenant for a cumulative total of 13 years. She has provided the following significant contributions during her time on the Department:

•Active with planning, organizing, and working at department fundraisers,

•Served on many committees, including: Banquet Committee, Recruitment & Retention Committee, and Special Events Committee,

•Since 2009, provided numerous Emergency Medical Responder courses at no cost to the Department,

•Provided CPR certification/re-certification courses to members of the Department and the general public at no cost, and

•Has been actively involved with the Smoke Alarm Installation Program.

In June 2022, the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Executive Committee reviewed and approved Lt. Johnson’s application for Honorary Lifetime Membership.

This evening, we are honored to officially present Lt. Kristie Johnson with her DeKalb County Fire Department Honorary Lifetime Membership, sponsored by Town & Lake Realty. As you can see, Lt. Kristie has served in a very honorable and dedicated manner,” said Williams.

Meanwhile Lieutenant Blake Cantrell and Steve Abell of Walmart presented the 2022 Walmart 5 Year Length of Service Firefighter Awards to Kim Cantrell, Luke Green, and Jacob Parker.

2022 Walmart 15 Year Length of Service Firefighter Award Recipients were Donnie Johnson and Shawn Puckett.

Meanwhile, 42 firefighters were presented the 2022 Safe Industries Training Achievement Awards. Safe Industries is a Tennessee fire equipment and apparatus vendor. These awards go to firefighters who excelled participating in monthly training drills. There are two levels of awards: 75% training attendance and 100% training attendance.

Lieutenant Dusty Johnson made the presentations.

Members achieving 100% training attendance were Matt Adcock, Anthony Boyd, Bill Brown, Blake Cantrell, Kim Cantrell, Donny Green, Luke Green, Alyssa Harvey, Andrew Harvey, Christina Hovey, Kyle Hovey, Dustin Johnson, Heather Lader, Jordan Lader, Will Odom, Matt Olson, Andy Pack, Billy Parker, Cheyenne Phalin, Steven Phalin, Shawn Puckett, Steve Repasy, Frank Rodegeb, Robert Sartin, Anthony Scott, and Alex Woodward.

Members with 75% training attendance were Justin Bass, Chris Bates, Dan Bradam, Neal Caldwell, Joshua Davis, Keith Elkins, Donnie Johnson, Kristie Johnson, Steven Lawrence, Cynthia Nixon, Brent Reed, Brittany Reed, Eric Snow, Robert Sutton, Calvin Tramel, and Brian Williams.

January 23, 2023
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber has announced that Leigh Fuson has accepted the position of Leadership DeKalb Director.

Fuson is a 2019 graduate of Leadership DeKalb. She valued learning the “ins and outs” of the county. Leigh grew up in neighboring White County and moved to Smithville in 2011 after marrying her husband Zach. She quickly fell in love with DeKalb County and the people. Leigh has always had a passion for volunteer work and soon got busy getting involved in her church, Indian Creek Baptist, DeKalb Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, the DeKalb County Fair, and the Smithville Jamboree. She also served on the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. As a 4-H Extension Agent for over ten years, Leigh had the privilege of educating youth in grades 4 to 12. She now works with USDA’s Farm Service Agency helping local farmers and landowners. Her Ag education volunteer work continues by serving as a 4-H volunteer and as the school program “Farm Day” coordinator.

Leigh Fuson enjoys event planning and seeing things come together. She is excited to begin working with county leaders, local businesses and organizations, and program participants in the Leadership DeKalb program. It will be a team effort! She wants to see DeKalb County thrive, grow, and succeed. Zach and Leigh live on their family farm in Alexandria with their two children, Landon and Callie Ruth.

Leadership DeKalb and the Chamber thank Beth and Darrell Gill for their four years at the helm from 2016-2020. Jen Sherwood, former Leadership DeKalb Director, states, “They are true servant-leaders. We are so grateful for their efforts and leadership during those years.”

The Leadership DeKalb program is an adult training program consisting of nine sessions over as many months. It covers local and state current issues in government affairs and economic development, challenges in education and health care, and an exploration of resources and opportunities for DeKalb County and its citizens. Discussions with current local, regional and state leaders and leadership skill-building topics such as team-building, leadership styles, group dynamics, problem-solving, and community service are also fundamental training elements for the class. Leadership DeKalb participants must live or work in DeKalb County. The next class will begin in September of 2023. Applications for the Class of 2023-24 will be available soon. For more information, contact the Chamber at 615-597-4163.

January 23, 2023
By:

TVA started a community care fund during the pandemic to help provide much needed assistance for local nonprofit organizations that are helping their local community. TVA provides a matching grant to an organization that is chosen by the local power company. The Smithville Electric System Power Board chose God’s Food Pantry as the recipient of this fund.

God’s Food Pantry is located at 430 E Broad St. in Smithville Tn and provides many services to the community. They provide food, assistance with utility bills, rent, medication, clothing and much more. The pantry is funded locally by donations and is completely staffed with volunteers. The pantry currently provides food on a monthly basis to approximately 850 families.

A check for $8250.00, from the TVA community care fund, was presented to director Patricia Zornow, by SES manager Richie Knowles. “After speaking with Mrs. Zornow, I knew this was the correct place for the matching funds. Smithville Electric System’s power board agreed that God’s Food Pantry was a deserving organization and would provide the best possible aid to our community. Smithville Electric System has proudly served the citizens of Smithville since 1969. We are honored to partner with TVA in serving our community through God’s Food Pantry. The matching funds for the grant will be provided locally by a donation made to the pantry,” said Knowles.

Donations can be sent to God’s Food Pantry at PO Box 490, Smithville, Tn 37166

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