The Burton Fire District’s Firefighter and Fire Officer of the year were announced at the fire district’s annual awards banquet last weekend. The awardees were nominated by their peers.

Burton Fire District’s Firefighter of the Year was Johnny Wynn. Johnny has been with the fire district since 1992 and is one of the most respected and senior members of the department. A private contractor when off duty, Johnny has saved the fire district and the tax payers hundreds of thousands of dollars applying his personal skills for station repairs and upgrades. Among the many recognitions Johnny has received over the years was that of saving the life of a child who drowned in 2010.

Burton’s Fire Officer of the Year was John Ireland. John has been with the fire district since 2007 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2011. Prior to joining the district, John served as a firefighter in the Marine Corps earning the Global War on Terrorism medal. John is assigned to the rural Gray’s Hill fire station where he is often in charge of emergency scenes and making critical decisions for several minutes without assistance. Among John’s accomplishments was his assistance in delivering a 28 week premature baby while en route to MUSC. John was able to revive and stabilize the infant before handing the baby girl off to doctors.

Burton Fire District Fire Chief Harry Rountree highlighted the more than 3,300 emergency calls and 81 structure fires the district responded to this year as testament to the men and women serving in its ranks. “Firefighter Wynn and Lt. Ireland are a reflection of the caliber people in our department and the excellent services we provide. I am proud of them both.”
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