DALLAS, GA - During the December 26, 2023 ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol, Division Chief Duane Lockhart was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to serve on the prestigious State’s Firefighter Standards & Training Council.

The Council is responsible for creating and managing statewide firefighter requirements and is comprised of 12 members whom the Governor appoints. They are the highestlevel governing body and are charged with oversight for every Fire Department statewide. That includes volunteer, paid/career, airport, and private corporation departments. The Council sets and enforces requirements for initial firefighter training, continuing education, minimum capability of fire trucks, and the equipment they must each carry. 

Paulding County’s Fire Chief Joey Pelfrey commented, "It is a huge honor for Chief Lockhart and our department to receive a gubernatorial appointment. He is a great resource for us locally, and I know he will make a big contribution at the state level. Duane is a very well-respected and liked member of PCFD. We are very excited he’s been asked by Governor Kemp to take on this important new role."

Lockhart was hired by Paulding County in 1999 and volunteered with the Yorkville Fire Department before that. Throughout his impressive career, Lockhart has held various positions, such as a first-line supervisor at one of the busiest fire stations in the county and as an officer in the Inspections Division. As Chief of the Training Division since 2013, he is Paulding County's liaison to the State of Georgia Fire Standards and Training Center. 

Lockhart and his training officers certify over 200 department members annually, maintain state and national certification records, and support periodic compliance audits. He oversees the entire department's training schedule and leads the annual recruit class programs.