CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — January 30th, 2026 —  Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services sponsored a graduation ceremony for nineteen recruits at the First Baptist Church in Woodstock. The program began at 7:00 p.m. with remarks by Chief Danny Carder, followed by an invocation by Fire Chaplain David Price. The Swafford Sisters performed the National Anthem, while the CCFES Honor Guard presented the flags.

Graham Luca and Casey Little, class spokespersons, remarked on the group's training and expressed gratitude to the teachers and families for their support. Several honors were handed out, including the Douglas Clark Waters Jr. Award to Richie Jordan, the Pinnacle Award to Preston Steele, and the Jill Mabley Star of Life Award to Casey Little. The graduates, now certified as Firefighter II and Advanced EMTs, began field assignments on February 1st at stations across Cherokee County.