The Moultrie Fire Department recognized three new hires and several promotions during a ceremony Friday at the main fire station downtown. From left are Cpl. Jeff Cooper, new firefighter Blake Richter, Moultrie Mayor Bill McIntosh, City Councilman Cecil Barber, outgoing Fire Chief Lamar Plymel, Battalion Chief Chad Kilgore, new firefighter Tyler Humphrey, incoming Fire Chief Jeff Thibodeau, Lt. Josh Gay, Sgt. Chris Pilgrim and Cpl. Russell Swartz. Unable to attend were Sgt. Keith Walker and new firefighter Scott Cumbie.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Moultrie honored eight fire officers in a pinning ceremony that was the first of its kind in Moultrie, according to Fire Chief Jeff Thibodeau.

Six officers — Corporals Jeff Cooper and Russell Swartz, Sergeants Chris Pilgrim and Keith Walker, Lt. Josh Gay and Battalion Chief Chad Kilgore — received promotions (to those positions) and three officers — Tyler Humphrey, Scott Cumbie and Blake Richter — were honored as newly hired firefighters.

Both groups stood front and center for their badge pinning on Sept. 20 at city hall. With the city council boardroom filled with city employees and family members, Thibodeau said he had to bring this tradition over.

“It was just something Valdosta did,” he said. “That’s where I’m originally from, so I just brought that tradition over.”

Instead of handling each promotion one at a time or simply giving the officers an envelope with their new badge and a “congratulations,” the Fire Department held the “mass” pinning ceremony.

Families were able to stand with their loved one and even pin their badges on them. Thibodeau said that’s what this tradition is for, family, because becoming a firefighter is a family affair.

“When they’re coming in, we’re not only getting them, we’re getting their families too,” he said.

Station One Lt. Kenny Humphrey reflects this sentiment intimately. He saw his son, Tyler, become a Moultrie firefighter Friday and pinned the badge on him. He said it was a dream come true.

“It gives me a lot of pride in him, the relationship, watching him grow in his career and his knowledge,” Kenny Humphrey said. “He’s been in the fire service for quite some time, but he’s always wanted to be here.”

The pair won’t be working on the same fire crew, but they’ll be working closely in special operations like the dive unit. Kenny Humphrey said he did enjoy working with Tyler in his training, however.

“The opportunity to have worked together is not something many fathers and sons can say they’ve done,” Kenny Humphrey said.

Tyler Humphrey said he has wanted to be a firefighter since he was a kid. He grew up around the fire station watching his father do his job. Now that he’s in the same place, he said he feels accomplished.

“It’s been a long time waiting to come, he said. “It was easy to slide right into, but it was the right thing for me.”

Tyler Humphrey isn’t prepared to stop in his current position. He wants to continue up the proverbial ladder and serve his community “110 percent.” For him, this is just getting through the door.

In doing so he’ll have to continue taking classes, much like his peers who were promoted.

Pilgrim, who was promoted to sergeant, took on more than a yearlong load of objectives, classes and reading that led to a test and interview process, and then the promotion.

He’s excited at taking on more responsibilities.

“It’s a lot more things to worry about, but I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

And so is Thibodeau. After all, he’s seeing his family grow larger and more of them taking bigger initiatives.