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Johns Creek awards 'Firefighter of the Quarter'

Johns Creek Firefighter Greg Rock, 2nd from left, is congratulated on his "Firefighter of the Quarter" award by Firefighter Christopher Clanton, left, Captain Charles Long, and Battalion Chief Jeff Hogan.

Greg Rock has been selected as Johns Creek's "Firefighter of the Quarter" for the fourth quarter of 2009.

With 15 years of firefighting experience, Rock has served with the Johns Creek Fire Department as a Firefighter II and emergency medical technician since the department's October 2008 launch. Additionally, he shares responsibility for maintaining the department's records management system.

"Greg Rock is pretty rare; he is a rock solid, physically fit, experienced, professional firefighter who's also a techno-savvy geek. He's made invaluable contributions to our records management system and keeps us on track in that area. Also, his diverse fire service experience makes us a stronger department," said Fire Chief Joseph Daniels.

As a contractor in Baghdad from 2004-2005, Rock provided fire protection and rescue services to the U.S. military at Camp Victory and the Baghdad International Airport. He responded to fires caused by rocket propelled grenades, missiles, artillery devices, and faulty wiring, as well as assisting with search and rescue.

From 2005 until 2008, Rock was a contracted Captain/Firefighter for the U.S. Army Command and its Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

A native of Hastings, Minn., Rock grew up in Los Angeles and began his fire service career with the California Conservation Corps in 1990 and then joined the U.S. Forest Service's Hotshot Crew in Lake Tahoe, Nev. Hotshot Crews are highly-skilled, wildland firefighters dropped by helicopter into forest fires to use special fire suppression tactics.

Moving to Georgia in 1995, Rock served with the Paulding County Fire Department until 2004.

He is a certified HAZMAT technician, rescue diver, swift water rescue technician, Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector I and a driver/operator. He is completing his bachelor's degree in fire science at Columbia Southern University.

"I am only able to manage IT tasks along with regular firefighting duties because I have a great support system; from the guys at the stations to the command staff," said Rock on receiving the award. "That's what really makes a difference."