Cherokee Names Training Center After Assistant Fire Chief

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Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Chief Eddie Robinson can received yet another feather in his cap.

At Tuesday’s Cherokee County Commission meeting, Chairman Buzz Ahrens read a proclamation naming the Cherokee County Fire & EMS Training Center after Robinson.

“As we started construction on phase two of the Cherokee County Fire Training Center, I started thinking of a way to honor Chief Robinson for his vision and commitment to not only his contributions over the many years to the training program of Cherokee County, but, to his vision and commitment to designing, constructing and operating a fire training facility,” said Fire Chief Tim Prather.

Prather said he approached County Manager Jerry Cooper and County Commissioners to seek approval to name the new training facility, specifically the formal classroom training area, the Chief Eddie Robinson Fire & EMS Training Center “in honor of his commitment to excellence and his passion to deliver superior training to the firefighters in Cherokee County,” Prather added.

The fire chief said his request was met with unanimous support from county leaders.

Robinson moved to Georgia in 1989 and began volunteering with the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department in 1995. He became a full-time firefighter with the county in 1999.

In 2001, Robinson began serving as the Health and Safety Officer for the department and was later became the Division Chief of Training in 2009.

In October 2011, Robinson was appointed as Assistant Fire Chief, making him responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department.

Prather went on to say that Robinson’s commitment to training is “unprecedented” and he could be directly responsible for training more than 70 percent of current department employees.

“I am grateful, but humbled by this honor,” stated Robinson. “However, the success of this department is not because of me. It’s because of all the staff and guys and gals working in the field.

The first phase of the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex opened in December 2013. The grand opening ceremonies for phase two will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 26. The second phase includes the completion of the training building that contains classrooms, offices, library and meeting rooms.

Robinson lives in Canton with his wife, Lori. He has two children, Candace and Kenny and two grandchildren, Kody and Sadie.

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Photo 1: Chairman “Buzz” Ahrens reads the proclamation as Chief Robinson (Left) looks on.
Photo 2: Chairman Ahrens congratulates Chief Robinson.
Photo 3: Fire training center employees with Chief Robinson (left to right) Sgt. Nate Sullivan, Robinson, Lt. Scott Deal and Captain Shannon Gibbs.
Photo 4: Members of Robinson’s family (left to right) Lori (wife), Robinson, Sadie (baby), Candace (daughter), Nick Taylor (boyfriend of Candace) and in front right Kody (son of Candace)
Photo 5: Chief Robinson (center) with Chief Greg Erdely (left), Chief of Field Operations, and Tim Prather (right) Cherokee County Fire Chief.
Photo credits: Tim Cavender/Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services