Frank Matthews has been approved as the fire chief in Aragon (Agnes Hagin/thepolkfishwrap.com)
Council members named him to the position during their August meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Patricia Jackson, Curtis Burrus, Beverly Clinton and Hunter Spinks, council members, gave him a warm welcome.
“Are you sure you want this job?” Burrus asked.
Matthews quickly answered "yes."
He said that fire service has offered him countless opportunities since he began working in fire service.
As chief, he said one of his first goals is to let the community know there is a fire department in Aragon. He also hopes to increase membership so that everyone can have pride in the department.
Matthews hopes to begin a public education campaign – Keep Aragon Safe – on October 1. The idea is to focus on ways to educate residents of Aragon about seasonal fire hazards.
“We will be teaching safety about how each season can bring fire dangers to the public,” he said. “In winter, there is the problem with heating equipment. Spring is the typical season for severe weather, which often results in a number of safety hazards.”
During his career, Matthews has served as Special Operations Director with the Cobb County Fire Department. He has received training not only as a firefighter but also as an EMT and Hazmat Tech.
He completed education and/or training at the Georgia Fire Academy, Frederick State Community College, and Southeast Fire Academy.
Matthews was named Firefighter of the Year, Polk County Fire Department in 1997-1998 and Firefighter of the Year with Carroll County Fire Rescue in 1999.
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