VALDOSTA, GA – Over 150 youth from Valdosta public and private schools gathered with their families and school administrators at Mathis Auditorium on May 13 for the annual John H. Baty Junior Fire Marshals Banquet. The event, sponsored by Valdosta Insurance Services and the City of Valdosta, recognizes the participating youth for being fire safety role models in their homes, schools and in the community.

Mayor John Gayle commended the youth and awarded certificates of appreciation to the Junior Fire Marshals. Top awards for the year were as follows:

2014 Junior Fire Marshal of the Year– Arianna Booker, J.L. Lomax Elementary School
2014 Junior Fire Marshal School of the Year—J.L. Lomax Elementary School
2014 Junior Fire Marshal Program Chairpersons of the Year—Lauren Whittaker, Alicia Clark and Tamera Dariso, all of J.L. Lomax Elementary School

“According to the U.S. Fire Administration, about 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and about 18,300 are injured,” said Valdosta Fire Chief Freddie Broome. “Valdosta’s Junior Fire Marshals Program seeks to prevent these incidents by educating our youth on the danger of fires, how to prevent fires, and what to do in the event of a fire.”

The program also gives area youth the opportunity to learn what it takes to become a firefighter and the important role that firefighters play in our community.

Source: City of Valdosta