About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2019)
Wednesday, December 25,2019 dawsonnews.com I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I 7A Wofford retires after 40 year career fighting fires By Jessica Taylor jtaylor@dawsonnews.com After 40 years with Dawson County Emergency Services, Battalion Chief Doug Wofford is retiring from his firefighting duties. “I’ve enjoyed it,” Wofford said. “I still enjoy it, but it’s just time for a younger person to take over.” On Dec. 19, Wofford’s retire ment was honored before the Board of Commissioners’ vot ing session, giving the DCES department an opportunity to send Wofford into retirement with their thanks and well wishes. Wofford began his career at the age of 21 when his brother- in-law, a chief at Station 2 at the time, talked him into becoming a firefighter. He’s been serving the people of Dawson County ever since. Being a firefighter 40 years ago was a much different expe rience than it is today, Wofford recalled as he reminisced the days of funding the department through chicken-cues and fund raisers. “When I first started out I was at Station 2 which is still around but we had to raise our own money to buy our fuel and buy our trucks and buy the gas to heat the station with, insur ance, the whole nine yards,” Wofford said. Emergency personnel were responsible for raising money for their operating costs as well as purchasing new equipment. Wofford remembers when the county began contributing about $3,000 a year for operat ing costs. Now, the county pur chases new firetrucks and equipment through special sales taxes. “It’s unreal. It’s the differ ence between daylight and dark,” Wofford said. “The new people now don’t realize how good they’ve got it compared to what we had to start with... We’ve had a lot of really great chiefs that have really done great jobs. They’ve provided for anything that we’ve really needed.” Jessica Taylor Dawson County News Battalion Chief Doug Wofford is retiring after 40 years of service with the Dawson County Emergency Services. It didn’t matter if Wofford was jumping into an old fire- truck or a brand new one, though; what mattered most to him was that he was able to help someone in need. The feeling of knowing he helped someone is what Wofford thinks he will miss most from his career. “I’m not one for recognition. I like to help other people and give, but I don’t like to receive. That’s just not my type. That just ain’t me,” Wofford said. “If there’s any thing I can do, anytime, I’m more than willing to help anybody at any time that I can.” Though there were a lot of heartaches in his job, there were also a lot of good times; it was often a rollercoaster of emotions for Wofford, but one he wouldn’t trade for the world. “I still get a rush when I hear the tones go off and I’m going to miss going on calls and help ing people,” Wofford said. “I wish I was 20 years younger, or more because I love it. I do. I enjoy it probably as good as anything I’ve ever done in my life.” Fire Chief Danny Thompson remembers being assigned to Wofford in 2013. Thompson was just starting out as a volun teer under then-Captain Wofford who guided him dur ing his volunteer days. When Thompson became Fire Chief, Wofford was always there as a critical part of the command staff, serving as the liaison between the staff and the vol unteers. “If you ask Doug to do some thing, he’s on it. I really can’t speak enough about the type of man that he is, the type of per son that he is and his commit ment to public service. I assure you I’m a better fire chief for knowing him,” Thompson said. Wofford has been married to Vickie for 40 years. They have a son, Dustin, and a five year old granddaughter, Harlee. Wofford enjoys fishing and plans to do more of it in his retirement. Of course, Wofford will still be making time to stop by the fire stations to visit and impart ing words of wisdom to the younger firefighters in the ranks. “It takes a special person... and one person can’t do it,” Wofford said. “It takes a team, and we’ve had a great team over the years.” YOU JUST NEED TO PURCHASE “ONE” SALE ITEM TO RECEIVE OUR BEST PRICE! HOBBY LOBBY Offer good for one Item at regular price only. Limit one coupon per customer per day. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Offer is not valid with any other coupon, discount or previous purchase. 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