Improvements Coming to Fire Department and Annual Boot Drive a Success

Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman announced 'informally' that he is designing a 'plan of improvement' for the fire department, according to Capt. Jason Shivers with the Forsyth County Fire Department.

"Details are still forthcoming and the plan is something that will be implemented over the course of the next 18 months approximately," said Shivers. "But essentially it will be a reorganization of the fire department in capacities both in the field and in administration all intended to increase our efficiency and use of the tax dollar."

On Friday, July 15, Chief Bowman celebrated eight years as fire chief for the department and that the upcoming changes 'needs to occur.'

"It's just something that the chief has decided during his observations over the years," said Shivers. "And what he is intending to do is not unusual of a fire service. Every well run organization needs to stand back occasionally, make some self evaluations, and work on improvements--and that is exactly what he's doing."

Shivers also pointed out that nothing will be done without the approval of Forsyth County Manager Doug Derrer and the Board of Commissioners.

But Shivers would not comment on whether or not these upcoming changes would include layoffs, but did say "those are details that are yet to come forward."

"This is a plan that is in the chief's office that he himself is working on designing," Shivers said. "I can't speak to any of that right now."

On another note, the recent Forsyth County Fire Department's 2011 boot drive, , raised $25,451.

“The generosity of the community was overwhelming once again,” Chief Bowman said in a statement. “We are always appreciative and grateful of the support the annual boot drive event receives.”

The money collected will go to support several programs including:

• The Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, money received will be used for fire safety and prevention education, the support of medical facilities and the assistance of burn survivors in their recovery.

• Camp Oo-U-La®, Georgia’s only camp held exclusively for burn-injured children, will also receive funds.

• The Forsyth County Fire Department will receive a portion of the total funds raised to support local education and prevention efforts.

“Not only does this event allow us to help the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and their many worthwhile efforts, but it also assists us right here in Forsyth County with our local fire safety programs,” Bowman said.

According to the county, the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established to assist with fire prevention and safety education and the treatment and recovery of burn survivors. The foundation was founded in 1982 by Atlanta area firefighters and has grown to now serve the entire state.

While counting the boot drive collections from the Johns Creek area of the county, Forsyth County Fire Department personnel found a men’s ring that had inadvertently been dropped in a boot during the event. To identify the ring, call Fire Department Headquarters at 770.781.2180 ext. 0.

The Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s primary source of fundraising is the annual “Give Burns the Boot”® boot drive. To receive more information click here.