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Three local firefighters complete advanced training programs
Melton3
Capt. Emerson Melton - photo by Special

    Three Statesboro firefighters were recently recognized for completion of advanced training programs, said Lt. Merritt Kearns.
    Firefighters Lamar Matthews and Lee Nessmith recently graduated from the Emergency Medical Technician program at Ogeechee Technical College, he said.
    Capt. Emerson Melton, a 30-year-veteran of the Statesboro Fire Department, recently graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University's law enforcement program, he said.
    Matthews and Nessmith learned "knowledge and skills necessary to provide advanced life support,"which may be lifesaving should a victim succumb to a fire, Kearns said.
    Statesboro Fire Chief Dennis Merrifield praised the two for their achievements.
    "The accomplishments of Firefighter Matthews and Firefighter Nessmith show the willingness of fire department employees to gain further education and skills in order to better serve the public," he said. "These firefighters sacrificed a great deal of their time and energy, and in the process, became more talented city employees."
    Kearns said Melton, through his achievement, attained Georgia POST certification as a Georgia Peace Officer.
    This certification, "combined with advanced certifications from the Georgia Fire Academy, allow Capt. Melton to serve as a certified fire and arson investigator," he said.
    The achievement is an honor for the city, said Statesboro City Manager Shane Haynes.
    "Capt. Melton's certification as a POST Fire Investigator is a tremendous asset to the City of Statesboro, (and to)  the services our fire department will now be able to provide the local community," he said. "In addition, it will save the city and state money, since it will eliminate the need to call in an investigator from Atlanta" should the need for a fire investigator arise.
    "This is a terrific example of the city answering the call to 'do more with less" in difficult economic times," Haynes said.

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