Cookeville firefighter/paramedic Patrick South received the Tennessee Fireman’s Association “Firefighter of the Year” award.

South also serves as a volunteer firefighter/paramedic with the Crossville Fire Department. He has 8 years as a volunteer and started as a Fire Explorer at age 14.

Firefighter South, along with co-recipients Engineer Gage Bumbalough and Firefighter Nathan Barnes, received the award at the annual Tennessee Fireman’s Association Banquet held in Cookeville June 5, 2021 at the Holiday Inn.

The crew received the award for a Thanksgiving Day 2020 rescue of a special needs female trapped in a house fire in Cookeville. Firefighters South and Barnes entered the burning residence in heavy smoke conditions and found the female unconscious in a closet under a pile of clothes. They quickly rescued her from the structure and began resuscitation efforts. She made a full recovery credited to the quick efforts of the firefighters.

Pictured from Left: Crossville Fire Chief Chris South (father), Michele South (mother), Patrick South, AliviaSouth (wife)