Annual Awards
Providence Baptist Church Family Life Center
Saturday, January 11th, 2025, 6pm
The volunteers of High Point Fire District gathered at the Providence Baptist Church Family Life Center for an evening of fellowship, a meal, and the annual awards ceremony. The event underscored the community spirit and dedication of those who serve.
Chassidy Taylor shared her powerful story of resilience after undergoing a long recovery from severe burns. She emphasized the importance of knowing the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” technique in case one’s clothing catches fire, crediting this knowledge with saving her own life.
South Carolina State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones presented the prestigious Firefighter of the Year awards. This year’s honors went to Taylor Sims and Ryan Helms, both of whom dedicated countless hours in 2024 to ensuring the staffing of the fire station, frequently working through the night. In addition to their commitment to front-line service, Taylor assisted the Training Officer in inputting fire reports and helping fellow firefighters catch up on training, while Ryan supported the Equipment Officer in repairing and maintaining the fleet.
The following firefighters were recognized for their years of service:
Ron Autry, 5 years
Bill Busse, 10 years
Tommy Demby, 10 years
Joey Hendrix, 20 years
Terry Champagne, 25 years
Amber Champagne, 25 years
Marvin Sneed, 35 years
Regrettably, singer Tony Adams was unable to attend this year’s gathering due to a serious illness. Tony has been a cherished part of the festivities, providing musical entertainment during the fellowship and meal. He remains optimistic about a full recovery and has already made arrangements to return next year.
This event not only celebrated the hard work and dedication of our firefighters but also served as a reminder of the strength found in our community.