Cherokee Fire Battalion Chief Retires After 30 Years

From Cherokee County Fire: Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services hosted a dinner last night at the Union Hill Community Center to honor Battalion Chief, David Tilson, who is retiring from the fire department after thirty years of services

After dinner and a slide-show presentation, Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather emceed the remaining portion of the event as employees and former employees, chiefs and former chiefs and friends can forward to roast Tilson with funny stories about his career with the fire department. Some of the speakers included Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, Assistant Fire Chief, Eddie Robinson, former Cherokee County Field Operations Chief, Greg Erdely, EMS Chief, Danny West and former fire chief, Bob Nealey.

Cherokee County Firefighter, Jim McLaughlin, came forward after the roast to present a gift from the union members of the fire department. Some of Tilson’ s earliest co-workers from the department came forward to present him with a trophy that contained the Federal Q Siren that was used on old Rescue 1 back in 1987 at the Oak Grove Fire Station where Tilson first worked.

Cherokee County Fire Chief, Tim Prather, came forwarded to thank Tilson for his commitment and service to the citizens of Cherokee County and then presented him with his “bugle” award. The bugle or speaking trumpet is a reference to a megaphone like device that was used in the early days of the fire service.

Captain Frankie Martinez presented Tilson with a beautiful wooden wall plaque of the American flag that also contained the Maltese Cross of the fire department.

Tilson started with the fire department on January 31st, 1987 when he was 26 years of age. He worked his way up the ranks and was eventually promoted to Battalion Chief on October 19th, 2008.

We congratulate David Tilson on his retirement and we thank him for thirty years of service to Cherokee County and its citizens.

Photos courtesy of Cherokee County Fire