Making the presentation are, from left, Regenia Wells, Public Safety chair for the Exchange Club, firefighter/paramedic Michael Chafin, EMS Chief Junior Horton and Fire Chief Joey Fowler.

TIFTON, Ga. — The Exchange Club of Tifton recently presented the 2017 Fire/Paramedic of the Year award to Michael Chafin with Tift County Fire and Rescue.

Chafin is cross-trained as both a firefighter and paramedic and serves in both capacities with Tift County Fire and Rescue, which he joined in 2016.

Chafin grew up in Colquitt County on a family farm and was a volunteer with the Ellenton Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He graduated from the Fire Academy and received his EMT license in 2003. He became a paramedic is 2008.

He is married to Leanne and they have two boys, Charlie and James and one more child on the way.

Chafin thanked the club and said, ‘It has been an honor to serve in Tift County.’

Making the presentation are, from left, Regenia Wells, Public Safety chair for the Exchange Club, Chafin, EMS Chief Junior Horton and Fire Chief Joey Fowler.