E-Board

President:
Kevin Vermillion - Walton County Fire
kvermillion@metroatlantafools.com

Kevin began fighting fire as a volunteer for the city of Jefferson Fire in 2001. In early 2002, he had the opportunity to attend a Firefighter Survival course put on by the founding members of the GA FOOLS. Fueled by the knowledge and brotherhood he experienced there, Kevin obtained his NPQ certifications while taking vacation from his job. In 2005, Kevin joined Jackson Trail Volunteer Fire, where he now serves as an officer. Kevin now divides his time between his two volunteer departments, his wife and kids, a thriving landscape business, his full-time position with Walton Count Fire Rescue, and the rebirth of the Metro Atlanta FOOLS.

Vice President:
Chuck Amason - Gwinnett County Fire
camason@metroatlantafools.com

Chuck is a career firefighter with the Gwinnett County Fire Department where he currently serves as a Captain and a paramedic. He is assigned to the hazardous materials team at station 20. Chuck began his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter with the Barrow County Fire Department in 1989. During his time at Barrow he ascended the ranks from firefighter to Assistant Chief. Chuck began his employment with Gwinnett in 1994. Chuck became involved with rapid intervention and firefighter safety and survival training in 1997 when he and Bill Craddock developed the RIT/Safety and Survival program for DeKalb and Gwinnett County firefighters. Chuck has participated in numerous training events across the state training hundreds of firefighters in Haz-Mat and Safety and Survival programs. Chuck is an Instructor for Gwinnett Technical College and he currently holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. He also is currently attending Columbia Southern University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science. Chuck’s goals are “to honor those before, protect those present, and educate those to come.” His favorite quote is “what we do in life, echoes in eternity.”


Secretary/Treasurer:
Mike Boehlke - Gwinnett County Fire
mboehlke@metroatlantafools.com

Mike is a career firefighter with the Gwinnett County Fire Department where he currently serves as a lieutenant. He is assigned to the hazardous materials team at station 20. Mike began his career in the fire service in 1992 while serving in The United States Marine Corps as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. Mike began his employment with Gwinnett in 1999 where he participates in the department’s RIT/Firefighter Safety and Survival training program. Mike currently volunteers and works part-time for the City of Jefferson Fire Department where he serves as a lieutenant. Mike, his wife Courtney and their daughter Claire live in Jefferson. 

1st Trustee:
J.W. Thaxton - Gwinnett County Fire
jthaxton@metroatlantafools.com

J.W. began his career in the fire service in 2003 as a volunteer with Oconee County Fire Department where he currently serves as a training officer. He is now a career Firefighter with Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services at Station 20 and a part of the Hazardous Materials team. While attending college, J.W. worked for Baldwin County Fire Rescue and Putnam County Emergency Services. J.W. has been an assistant instructor for recruit classes in Baldwin County and Oconee County since 2005 and began assisting with Firefighter Survival and RIT instruction in 2008. J.W. holds an Associates degree in Fire Science, Bachelors Degree in Business Management and has been accepted into the Oklahoma State University Graduate School to pursue a Masters Degree in Fire and Emergency Management.

2nd Trustee:
Troy Smith - Gwinnett County Fire
tsmith@metroatlantafools.com

Troy is a career firefighter with the Gwinnett County Fire Department where he currently serves as a Captain and a Paramedic. He is assigned to Station 22. Troy began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Spalding County Fire Department for approximately 1 year and was later employed as a full time firefighter. After working with Spalding County he accepted a position with the City of Griffin Fire Department where he was employed for approximately 5 years. In 1988 he was hired by the Gwinnett County Fire Department. Troy has served as an Adjunct Instructor for Gwinnett Technical College, Georgia Fire Academy, DeKalb County Fire Academy, as well as Gwinnett County Fire Academy. Troy currently holds an Associates Degree in Fire Science Technology from DeKalb College.

3rd Trustee:
Richie Carignan - Barrow County Fire
rcarignan@metroatlantafools.com

Richie began his interest in firefighting as a fire explorer with the Salem Volunteer Fire Department in 1994. After his time as an explorer, he decided to pursue a career in the fire service as a second generation firefighter following in his father’s footsteps. After volunteering for the City of Loganville Fire for three years he accepted a full-time position there in 2000, where he served the ranks of firefighter and driver/engineer. He also completed his EMT certification while employed there. In April of 2005, Richie left the City of Loganville for Barrow County Fire where he currently serves as a lieutenant and a paramedic. Richie has proudly served with the City of Jefferson Fire as a firefighter and driver; he is also currently employed with Jackson County EMS as a paramedic. Richie lives in Jefferson with his wife Jennifer and their sons Maddox and Rylan.

4th Trustee:
Scott Sanders - Gwinnett County Fire
ssanders@metroatlantafools.com

Scott is a career firefighter with the Gwinnett County Fire Department where he currently serves as a Lieutenant and is assigned to the Technical Rescue Team at Company 24 and is a member of Metro Atlanta Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR). Scott began his career in the fire service as a volunteer with the Plainview Fire Department in 1997. Scott also currently volunteers and works part-time for the City of Jefferson Fire Department where he serves as a Lieutenant and the departments training officer. Scott is very active in training fellow firefighters in hazardous materials and rapid intervention. Scott’s goals are to ensure that every member in the fire service whether career or volunteer receive the essential and necessary training they need to ensure that we ALL achieve the goal of: Everyone Goes Home!!!!