As part of the 19th annual Public Safety Appreciation Week (Oct. 1-7), the Cobb Chamber of Commerce will honor Cobb County’s finest during a special recognition program at the Public Safety Appreciation Breakfast event held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 1. The breakfast will kick off a weeklong effort to celebrate public safety personnel in Cobb County.

Preparations for such an event begins months in advance with the nomination process for the Public Safety Employee of the Year Award, in addition to other awards such as the Medal of Valor, Award of Merit and the Distinguished Achievement Award. Residents, government officials, public safety agencies and business officials are given the opportunity to nominate public safety personnel for these honors. The 2018 Public Safety Appreciation Committee Chairman is Vic Reynolds, Cobb County District Attorney.

The Cobb Chamber would like to congratulate the following personnel and public safety units on their nomination for a public safety recognition award:

Emergency Communications Officer Julia Atkinson, Cobb County 911

Lieutenant Tommy Bates, Smyrna Fire Department

Firefighter Rusty Brown, Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services

Officer Heather Clemens, Smyrna Police Department

Officer Jayson Duncan, Marietta Police Department

Detective Brett Gloyd, Powder Springs Police Department

Emergency Communications Officer Bryan Griffin, Cobb County 911

Officer Josh Hale, Kennesaw Police Department

Sergeant J.J. Hicks, Cobb County Police Department

Officer Tamara Irvin, Acworth Police Department

EMS Supervisor Renee McCarty, Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service

Lieutenant JP Paul, Smyrna Fire Department

Lieutenant Donnie Reed, Marietta Fire Department

EMT Jennifer Rochard, Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service

Firefighter Jared Stephens, Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services

Detective Ed Stockinger, Cobb County Police Department

Colonel Robert Willard, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office

Officer Matt Wilson, Kennesaw Police Department

Public Safety Units

Engine 1 A Shift, Austell Fire Department

K9 Unit, Cobb County Police Department