A career firefighter and paramedic was recently named assistant chief for Dawson County Emergency Services.

Lt. Danny Speaks, 38, who has been with the department since 2007, will assume his new position on March 21.

He was one of 12 internal applicants who applied for the position, according to Chief of Emergency Services Lanier Swafford.

“While this was a difficult decision based on the caliber and abilities of the applicants, we feel that Danny is the right person for this position who will continue to produce a high level of training for our personnel, and will do an exceptional job for the department, its members and the community as a whole,” Swafford said.

Speaks began his career as a volunteer firefighter in Barrow County about 15 years ago. He later attended EMT and paramedic school and worked for Hall County close to 10 years, spending several years on an ambulance.

He joined Dawson County Emergency Services part time in 2007 and accepted a full time position in 2008, the same year he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the advanced life support engine at Station 7 on Dawson Forest Road.

“I’m really proud of that. The ALS engine can do everything an ambulance can do besides transport the patient,” Speaks said.

Speaks also helped develop and leads the department’s K9 Strike Team. His primary duties as assistant chief will focus on training.

“I’ve been involved in training the entire time I’ve been here in Dawson County,” he said.

Speaks said he is honored to serve the department in the new capacity.

Speaks lives in Hall County with his wife, Staci, and the couple’s young daughter.