Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and city officials on a visit to the Georgia State Capitol recognized two members of the Roswell Fire Department who received statewide awards and described recent gains under the city’s five-year fire implementation plan.

The recognition honored Battalion Chief Jason Patterson, named instructor of the year for Georgia fire departments, and Captain Chad Miller, named educator of the year. City and fire leaders used the ceremony to highlight expanded training, a transition toward a full-time fire force and a new citizens fire academy.

Mayor Kurt Wilson, speaking at the event, said the awards are “a big deal” for the city and urged residents to congratulate the two employees. Fire Chief Joe Panino said the department has “doubled our training hours for all of our firefighters, annually,” and framed that increase as essential to the city’s shift from a part-time force to a full-time department.

Panino described operational steps tied to that transition: he said the department is testing recruits before hire, providing a five-week orientation for new full-time personnel and bringing the total to 135 full-time positions as part of the conversion from part-time staffing. He said those measures are intended to keep the department at “world class” standards.

Council member and public-safety liaison Sarah Beeson said the city is “well on the way” toward its goal of making Roswell’s fire department among the nation’s top departments, noting it is unusual for a single department to have two state-recognized awardees at one time. Pro Tem and council member Lee Hills said the city is in the fourth year of its five-year plan and praised the department’s responses and public-facing education efforts.

Officials also described a citizens fire academy led by Captain Chad Miller. Panino said the academy is a 10-week program that did not exist previously and now has a waiting list; he credited the program with improving public education about the department’s work.

The remarks at the capitol were ceremonial recognition rather than a council meeting action; no motions or votes were recorded at the event. Officials concluded by asking residents to thank the awardees in person when they see them.