Harden Knight Awarded Firefighter of the Year for 2024!
Posted on Nov 06, 2024 at 1:12 PM
This is an award given through The Exchange Club recognizing October as Crime and Fire Prevention Month. The club honors a Law Enforcement Officer and a Firefighter of the Year. Nominations are submitted by city and county law enforcement and fire organizations to select these individuals. The Crime and Fire Prevention Committee reviews these nominations and chooses the two award recipients each year.
Dublin Fire Department Firefighter of the Year Nomination
The City of Dublin Fire Department would like to nominate Harden Knight for Firefighter of the Year 2024. Harden began his tenure with the City of Dublin on June 11, 2021, as a firefighter. He was already Firefighter 1 certified through Laurens County when we hired him, but Harden wanted more. Several skills must be mastered to obtain Firefighter 2 status, so Harden attacked those skills and classes head-on. On October 5, 2022, he achieved NPQ Firefighter 2 certification. This certification not only broadens the firefighter's skills and abilities but also opens doors for promotional opportunities. On August 16, 2024, Harden was promoted to Fire Corporal. Some other notable certifications that Corporal Knight obtained over his tenure are; Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, and Emergency Medical Technician. Harden has been an asset to our department in the short time he has been here and has been directly involved in life-saving events. The most recent was a structure fire, on August 14th on South Jefferson Street in Dublin. Fire units arrived to find a single-story brick house with heavy smoke and fire showing. Residents reported that at least one person was still inside. Corporal Knight entered the 2,000-square-foot structure and was able to locate a male victim in the hallway overcome by smoke. Harden, with another firefighter's help, removed the victim from the home and turned him over to EMS personnel on the scene. A man is alive today due to the quick search conducted by Harden and the teamwork of Dublin Fire Department personnel. There is no greater honor for a firefighter than to put their life on the line to save another, that is what happened that fateful night.
Harden has been a great addition to our team, and we believe he will continue to grow. We believe that Harden exhibits the qualities that would make him the perfect candidate for this honor. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely, Matthew D. Cutler –Fire Chief