Ga. fireman captures award from Liberty Mutual

Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company 
 
By STUMP MARTIN
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee) 

ROCK SPRING, Ga. — Walker County Firefighter Sgt. Donnie Brown has been awarded the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award.

Mr. Brown, 28, was also honored in 2005 as the Georgia Firefighter of the Year by Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine.

Chattanooga Liberty Mutual spokesperson Wendee Orr said the company introduced the Firemark Award in 1986 to recognize firefighters across the country, selecting the men and women who best represent their communities through their valor and selfless spirit.

She said Mr. Brown is the first firefighter in the metro Chattanooga area to get the award.

"It's a big honor," Ms. Orr said. "This is the first one our office has actually submitted."

A firemark is a leaden plate in the form of a Phoenix rising from the ashes. American fire offices in the 18th and 19th centuries used the firemark to mark the houses they insured. It allowed fire brigades to know the insurance company that insured the house would reward them for extinguishing the fire.

Ms. Orr said Firemark awards are given both in the region and nationally each year.

"I couldn't believe all that he (Mr. Brown) has accomplished," she said. "I'm looking forward to him doing even more. He's got to have a big heart. I look forward to seeing what he will do next."

Walker County Fire and Rescue Administrative Assistant Tracy Napier said Sgt. Brown organized a group of more than 25 volunteers to form a boot drive for tsunami victims last year. She said the drive raised more than $14,000 in two weekends.

She said he has also spearheaded the Walker County Fire and Rescue "Fill the Boot" fundraising events for the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1998.

Ms. Napier said Sgt. Brown has put in more than 6,000 hours performing emergency tasks and training during his nine years as a firefighter.

"He's the best," Ms. Tapp said. "There's nobody else I know who puts forth the effort like Donnie. He gives 110 percent on every project he does, no matter what it is."

Mr. Brown is married to Beth Dye Brown, and the couple have two boys, Baylee, 3, and Chandler, 2.

"Obviously, the things I do require the assistance of my fellow firefighters," Sgt. Brown said. "I thank them for working with me. If it wasn't for the firefighters and my family, none of this would be possible."

Walker County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell said the Firemark award was unexpected. She said Mr. Brown has been an outstanding employee, fireman and citizen.

"I'm very proud of him, and the whole fire department is proud of him," she said, "He is up for a national award that would award a grant of $10,000 to our fire department."

Fire Chief Randy Camp said he had never heard of the Firemark award until this year, and he was impressed.

"I thought that it was pretty neat," he said. "The award rolls over now to a national selection process."