The Dalton Fire Department introduced seven new firefighters Tuesday morning at the monthly meeting of the Public Safety Commission. The firefighters recently completed the department’s three-month recruit school training program. The class includes two fire department “legacies,” children of Dalton firefighters.
Firefighters Logan Bickford, Mason Padgett, Christian Perez, Mason Shepard, Tatiana Sieli, Will Sloan and Riley Werner were introduced to the Public Safety Commission.
Bickford is a 2016 graduate of Murray County High School. He’s an eight-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and plans to continue his service in the Marine Reserve. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from American Military University.
Padgett is a 2019 Coahulla Creek High School graduate. While in high school, he was an avid baseball player. He already has firefighting experience, serving with the Murray County Fire Department before joining the Dalton Fire Department.
Perez is a 2018 graduate of Dalton High School where he was active in the JROTC program, earning the rank of cadet colonel and battalion commander. Before joining the Dalton Fire Department, Perez owned a business called Dalton Nutrition.
Shepard is a 2016 graduate of Northwest Whitfield High School. He was a standout member of the football team and the track team. Before joining the fire department, he worked with Southeastern Freight Lines.
Sieli is a 2021 graduate of Christian Heritage School. After graduation, she went to Bryan College where she played softball on scholarship. She worked as a dispatcher for the Georgia Highway Patrol before joining the fire department. Her father Hector Chiesa is a retired fire department engineer.
Sloan is a 2022 graduate of Coahulla Creek High School and has worked for the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department since finishing school. His father Mike Sloan is a fire department lieutenant.
Werner is a 2019 graduate of Sonoraville High School. He worked as a firefighter and emergency medical technician for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services for the past three years before joining the Dalton Fire Department.
This most recent recruit school was a rarity, as all firefighter candidates completed the program.
Submitted by the city of Dalton.