New Fire Chief at Priceville Fire Department
Noah Rountree is currently the youngest chief in Priceville Fire Department history.
By Katrina England
Reporter, Hart Co. News-Herald
On July 1, Noah Rountree was sworn in as the new Fire Chief of the Priceville Volunteer Fire Department, as former chief Roger Butler moved into the position of Deputy Chief.
Though he is the youngest chief Priceville has ever had, it’s certainly not a reflection of his dedication and service history.
“Within my years of experience with the Priceville Volunteer Fire Department, I have had the privilege to hold the positions of Secretary, Fire Captain, Assistant Fire Chief, Chief Medical Officer, and Deputy Fire Chief,” Rountree said.
Rountree first began his journey in the fire service as a junior firefighter in 2010, and then went on to obtain the required training for his initial Firefighter 1 certification.
“After obtaining my Firefighter 1 Certification, I began to respond to medical calls with fire department EMTs where I discovered my passion for patient assessment and patient care,” Rountree explained. “I then decided it would be advantageous for me to challenge the EMT-B course. After becoming an EMT-B and working at a local career EMS service, I pursued my Firefighter 2 Certification.”
The Firefighter 1 Certificate covers basic fire service qualifications, while the Firefighter 2 Certificate involves more specialized areas and command.
Rountree, who comes from a family of individuals with backgrounds in public service and the military, is currently enrolled in paramedic courses and anticipates finishing by the end of the year.
As for changes at the fire department, he says they are actively applying for grants for new trucks and state-of-the-art equipment.
“The Priceville Volunteer Fire Department is a family,” said Rountree. “When we arrive to assist one another or the members of our primary or mutual aid communities, we do our best to demonstrate respect and treat those people like we would want our own family treated…God has blessed me with a wonderful team consisting of 26 active firefighters with 6 of those members being dual-certified Firefighter/EMS providers. I would be nothing without my crew.”
