Firefighter Retires, Successor Promoted At Public Safety Commission Meeting

Tuesday, July 25th, 2023

It's a rare coincidence to have one firefighter's career end on the same day that his replacement's promotion gets confirmed. At Tuesday morning's meeting of the Public Safety Commission, the Dalton Fire Department celebrated just such a rare occasion with the promotion of Cory Baldridge to engineer on the same day of Anthony Johnston's retirement. 

Caption: Chief Todd Pangle shakes hands with Engineer Cory Baldridge after his promotion was confirmed Tuesday morning by the members of the Dalton Public Safety Commission

"We don’t typically have to both promote somebody to a position that has been left by a retirement but we also are celebrating that retirement on the same day," said Chief Todd Pangle as he presented Baldridge to the commission for promotion. "I’d like to recognize our engineer Anthony Johnston for his impending retirement which will be celebrated this afternoon."

Then, with a smile, Chief Pangle asked Engineer Johnston to stand. 

"As I still have authority over you right now (until the end of the day) I’d like to ask you to stand and be recognized for your 30 years of service," Pangle said. 

Johnston rose from his seat in the back of the room and the dozens of his fellow firefighters in attendance rose with him for a standing ovation. 

"I'm sure he loves being the center of attention," Pangle joked. "We appreciate his service to our department and all that he has brought to the City of Dalton and primarily to the Dalton Fire Department and we wish him luck in his retirement." 

Caption: Retiring Engineer Anthony Johnston stands and is applauded by his fellow friends and firefighters

Turning attention to Johnston's replacement in the engineer rank, Chief Pangle presented firefighter Cory Baldridge to the members of the Public Safety Commission. Baldridge has served the fire department since 2013 and is a member of the Special Operations Team. Pangle described Baldridge as "a quiet professional who shows great pride and a strong work ethic on a daily basis." Pangle pointed out that not only has Baldridge completed all of the required prerequisites for promotion to engineer but he also works diligently to train and assist others on his shift. 

Engineer Baldridge's promotion was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the Public Safety Commission.