Coweta County Fire Rescue

10/23/2026

This month’s Under the Helmet spotlight features a veteran of the fire service for nearly 30 years – Firefighter and EMT Brett Osting.

Assigned to Station 2 in Sargent, Brett has been an integral part of the Coweta County Fire Rescue Department’s (CCFRD) special response team, responding to water-related emergencies with the rescue boat. Many of these calls take place along the Chattahoochee River, where he has assisted individuals on kayaks and inner tubes.

Brett’s journey in the fire service began in 1993 at the Florida State Fire College before he moved to Georgia to serve with the Fayette County Fire Department of Fire and Emergency Services. In 1997, he continued his career with CCFRD.

“My favorite part of the job is sharing with the newer and younger employees how CCFRD has progressed over the years,” Brett says. “We are fortunate to have citizens that support us so we can have access to top-tier equipment we need to help save lives.”

Mentorship has been a defining part of Brett’s career. He enjoys answering questions, guiding new firefighters and helping them growth in skill and confidence. As a member of the water rescue team, Brett also played a key role in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and continues to help lead training efforts on the Chattahoochee River, ensuring crews are well-prepared for water rescue operations.

As he approaches his retirement and 30 years of service on January 10, 2027, Brett looks forward to spending more time in Apalachicola, Florida – his home away from home – enjoying life on the bay and the friendships he and his family have built there over the years.

Join us in thanking Firefighter and EMT Brett Osting for his dedication, knowledge, mentorship, leadership and unwavering commitment to service! Though he may be trading the river for the bay in January 2027, his legacy will always remain a part of CCFRD.

10/15/2026

Today, we recognized our newest fire lieutenants during a pinning ceremony, marking an important milestone in their careers and the beginning of a new chapter in leadership.

Each lieutenant has successfully completed a rigorous promotional process that included leadership interviews and tactical fireground scenarios, designed to evaluate their ability to lead, communicate and mentor future firefighters.

The newly promoted lieutenants are:
🔥Lieutenant Michael Gamez
🔥Lieutenant Stephen Girard
🔥Lieutenant Michael Linch
🔥Lieutenant Will Riggins
🔥Lieutenant Steven Thames
🔥Lieutenant Leland Warren

Fire Chief Greg Shinkle encouraged the newly promoted lieutenants to learn from their mistakes, hold themselves and others accountable and recognize the lasting impact they can have on the department.

“They key to a leader is being able to adjust and learn from those mistakes,” shares Fire Chief Shinkle.

Congratulations to all six (6) of our new fire lieutenants! We look forward to seeing you grow, lead and excel in your new roles.

10/14/2026

When a child goes missing, a dangerous suspect is on the run, or firefighters need to assess a hazardous scene, every second counts.

That’s where the Coweta County Drone Response Team steps in. The team recently expanded its operations to provide 24/7 emergency response coverage, making Coweta County Fire Rescue (CCFR) one of the few fire departments in metro Atlanta with 24/7 drone response capability.

The enhanced offering ensures that trained drone pilots are available around the clock to assist with incidents across the County and marks a major step forward for a program that began several years ago. Since then, the program has grown into a collaborative effort involving CCFR, Coweta County 911/Emergency Management Agency, the Coweta County Sheriff's Office (Georgia) and Coweta County Government's GIS team.

For CCFR Lieutenant Chris Sims, who is also a member of the Drone Response Team, the program’s goal is simple.

“Anytime we’re responding to a hazardous incident, that’s one less firefighter that we have to send into a dangerous area,” says Lieutenant Sims. “If that piece of equipment gets damaged or contaminated, it can be replaced. A firefighter can’t.”

🔗 Read the complete article on the Coweta County website: https://bit.ly/4ymSK4r.

📸 Pictured in First Photo from Left to Right: Lieutenant Ariel Watts, Captain Eric Gasaway, Firefighter Ketih Kolvig and Firefighter Brad McBier.

📸 Pictured in Second Photo from Left to Right: Firefighter Michael Linch, Captain Patrick Guiterrez, Lieutenant Dylan Schumacher, Battalion Chief Mark Griffin and Firefighter Leland Warren, who is not pictured.

📸 Pictured in Third Photo from Left to Right: Firefighter Adam Spitzer, Captain Corey Corker, Lieutenant Chris Sims and Firefighter Corey Chambers.

10/08/2026

A little Coweta County Fire Rescue history for your Thursday! 🔥

This tanker was a great addition to our fleet, helping firefighters respond with the equipment and resources needed to serve our community.

It’s Throwback Thursday and we’re highlighting the people, places and moments that shaped Coweta County as part of our Bicentennial celebration.

In May 1986, the Coweta County Fire Department unveiled a newly purchased tanker truck at its headquarters on Turkey Creek Road – known today as Station 1 but then designated Station 6.

Pictured from left are Bill Haynes, former Coweta County Assistant Fire Chief; one of six men who founded the Coweta County Volunteer Fire Department in 1972 and longtime Coweta County Fire Commission member Berrian A. Hobby; Harold Banks; former Coweta County Commissioner Jim Morgan; Tip Brewster, former Coweta County Fire Commission member; and former Coweta County Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Darryl Ward.

The addition of the tanker marked another step in strengthening fire protection across the County.

Who remembers this era of Coweta fire service?

📸 Photo Credits: The Newnan Times-Herald Centennial Magazine (1965)

10/02/2026

It’s official! 🎉

Today, we proudly held a pinning ceremony to recognize nine (9) Coweta County Fire Rescue members who have recently been promoted into new leadership roles. This accomplishment reflects years of hard work, dedication and service to our community:
🔥 Chief Greg Shinkle
🔥 Deputy Chief Scott Greene
🔥 Deputy Chief Chon Terrell
🔥 Deputy Chief Enrico Dean
🔥 Assistant Chief Brian Beckworth
🔥 Assistant Chief Josh Thomas
🔥 Assistant Chief Ron Hamilton
🔥 Battalion Chief Kelly Pitts
🔥 Captain Richard Barnett

As they step into their new roles, these leaders will continue to play a vital role in guiding our department and supporting the men and women who serve alongside them every day.

Congratulations to each of our newly promoted team members on this well-earned achievement! We thank them for their service and look forward to watching them grow, lead and excel in their new roles.

10/01/2026

🔥 Training for the real thing.

Our Fire Recruits are given hands-on training like this to help prepare them to respond with confidence, discipline, and a strong focus on safety. 🚒👨‍🚒

09/25/2026

This month, we’re shining the Beyond the Ambulance spotlight on Holli Dye, a Paramedic and EMS Training Officer and Instructor at Coweta County Fire Rescue (CCFR).

Serving CCFR for seven years, Holli’s primary responsibilities include coordinating and teaching our Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) recruit school. She also manages ongoing education for CCFR personnel, conducts American Heart CPR and Advanced Life Support courses and ensures that all emergency medical services (EMS) certifications are up to state and national standards.

One of the aspects Holli values most about her role is witnessing the growth and success of the recruits.

“It’s amazing to watch the new recruits, who are often nervous on their first day, gain confidence and master new skills,” Holli shares. “I love knowing that the training we provide goes beyond the classroom; it truly impacts patient care and shapes the future career of the recruits.”

Holli also highlights the significant impact of the Training Division.
“Every new recruit we help develop has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life on their worst day,” Holli notes.

While her contributions might appear indirect in terms of community impact, Holli emphasizes that she plays a crucial role in preparing those who respond to emergencies.

“Though I’m not on every ambulance responding to calls, I have the opportunity to influence and teach the individuals who do respond through education and training,” Holli explains. “I’ve had recruits come back after graduation to share stories about calls they ran, recalling lessons I taught them or a funny scenario we used in class that helped them when it mattered.”

Holli was drawn to join the fire service as a kid. Her dad was a firefighter who loved the job and helping people.

“I remember watching the TV show ‘Emergency!’ with him and I was immediately interested in this career,” Holli recalls. “My dad taught me the value of hard work, integrity, being there for others when they need help and passing on knowledge and experience to others.”

For Holli, being a paramedic means being there for people when they need help the most – whether that’s responding to calls and performing skills, talking to someone on their worst day or helping new recruits learn.

“It also requires commitment, the ability to adapt and maintain a passion for lifelong learning,” Holli asserts. “One of my goals is to help Coweta County Fire Rescue grow, invest and develop the people that will one day take my place.”
Holli also expresses her appreciation for her Fire and EMS family, highlighting the significance of working alongside individuals who are committed to the future of the organization and to one another.

“All my success is a reflection of the support, mentorship and teamwork I have experienced throughout my career,” Holli says. “And that is what I want to pass on to everyone I have the privilege of helping and teaching.”

Join us in thanking Holli for her remarkable service, leadership, dedication to lifelong learning and passion in teaching our EMT/AEMT recruits and helping citizens of Coweta County! We are thankful to have her as a part of our team and appreciate all you do.

09/18/2026

Coweta Cares was proud to join the Georgia Recovers Bus Tour as it stopped in Newnan this month. This statewide initiative shines a light on recovery resources and the incredible community support found across Georgia.

We are proud to see such a strong stance on mental health and substance abuse from our community partners, like Coweta FORCE / Friends of Recovery Troup, and our state leaders like State Representative Lydia Glaze and State Senator Matt Brass during the visit.

It truly takes a team effort to support and combat recovery efforts and mental health initiatives in our community.

09/16/2026

Today, we celebrated a major milestone with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Fire Station 5 located at 688 Belk Road in Newnan. The new facility contains the same modern amenities recently unveiled at Fire Station 10, offering enhanced space, wellness features and long-term infrastructure designed to support firefighters and EMS personnel.

The ceremony began with an honor guard presentation followed by a prayer from Chairman Bill Mckenzie, dedicating the station and honoring those who will serve from it.

District 5 Commissioner Al Smith emphasized the importance of the station’s location and the collaboration that made the project possible.
“This station is the only station in the County that’s in District 5,” said Commissioner Smith. “I’m proud of what it represents for our community.”
Fire Chief Greg Shinkle reflected on the station’s design and its role in improving response times.

“By placing Station 5 here, we’re able to reach more than 500 additional residents with faster, more reliable emergency response,” noted Fire Chief Shinkle. “This station becomes home for the men and women who spend 24-hour shifts here, serving this community.”

Architect Joe Gardner expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to design a facility that will serve firefighters and the community for decades.

“It is a place where courageous and brave first responders reside, work and put their lives on the line,” said Architect Joe Gardner. “I just want to express my appreciation for having been given this responsibility.”

Thank you to everyone who helped make the new Station 5 a reality and to our firefighters and EMS staff who will serve our community from this new facility. To the citizens of Coweta County, thank you for your support!

09/15/2026

🚒🔥 Want to join our team? 🚒🔥

We're hiring for a Fire Inspector/Investigator!

Key responsibilities include:
🔍 Supporting the Fire Marshal with daily fire-prevention activities, public outreach and safety initiatives
🏗️ Evaluating plans for new construction, ensuring compliance with fire codes and recommending improvements
🗓️ Scheduling, conducting and documenting inspections of existing buildings to identify hazards and verify compliance with Federal, State and County Fire Codes
🔥 Inspecting and testing fire protection systems in commercial buildings throughout construction and upon completion; performing re-inspections as needed

👉 Interested? Learn more about the education and special/experience requirements and apply for the position: https://bit.ly/4xvFWZ4.