College foundation to host public safety appreciation banquet

Representatives from a variety of local public safety departments pose at Tri-County Community College during a previous Patriot Day Memorial Ceremony.

In times of crisis, members of the surrounding communities depend on the crucial services provided by local public safety professionals.

“During the last few years, there has been a desire within the community from several individuals to honor our public safety personnel,” said Robin Caldwell, director of Cherokee County Emergency Management. “It’s very exciting to finally be able to offer a special event for these individuals, many of whom are volunteers.”

In recognition of their service The Tri-County Community College Foundation, in partnership with Cherokee County Emergency Management, will hold a 2019 Public Safety Appreciation Banquet for professionals serving in Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties on Feb. 7 at the college’s main campus.

“As the initial and continual training of many of our service area’s public safety personnel often begins at Tri-County Community College, the Tri-County Community College Foundation is happy to host and help coordinate this event,” said Bo Gray, executive director for the Tri-County Community College Foundation.

According to the event’s organizers, public safety encompasses a wide range of specialty units and trained professionals operating in communications and dispatch, emergency management, emergency medical service, fire and rescue, and law enforcement, all of whom have been invited to attend the event.

The banquet will feature keynote speech by Colonel Kevin Jarrard, who served as the commandant of Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Ga., from 2009 to 2014. Col. Jarrard was also awarded a Bronze Star for his meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations as a Marine in Iraq.
 
“This event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, which include Ivie Funeral Home and Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital at the Gold level, as well as Rhinehart Fire Services and VFIS Fire and Rescue Insurance Services at the Silver level,” Gray said. “We also express our thanks to the two other local businesses who have donated at the Patron level, Carolina Cabinets and Wayne’s Feed Store.”
 
According to Gray, the hope is to make this an annual event celebrating local public safety personnel.

“We appreciate and value our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers who tirelessly work in our public safety sectors within Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties, so creating an annual event is our opportunity to give back,” Gray said.

​In order to attend the Public Safety Appreciation Banquet, professionals should RSVP their agency’s Chief Officer or Lead Administrator by January 31.