Three Johns Creek Firefighters Promoted

Staff Report

Three veteran Johns Creek firefighters/paramedics have received promotions.

Curt Walther, 37, was promoted to the rank of fire captain, “Rusby” Clinton Crites III, 38, to the rank of fire lieutenant and Shawn M. Maschmeier, 42, to the rank of sergeant.

“All three of these firefighters were part of the original team that launched the Fire Department in 2008,” said Fire Chief Jeff Hogan. “They have repeatedly demonstrated their skills, knowledge, and bravery. These promotions are well-deserved.”

• Walther has been a firefighter and a paramedic since 1997 when he joined the Austell Fire Department. A year later, he joined the Atlanta Fire Department and became a fire apparatus operator. He started at the Johns Creek Fire Department as a sergeant.Walther is a member of the Swift Water Rescue team, and trained in confined space and rope rescues, and as a fire and life safety educator.
• Crites, a 16-year veteran of firefighting, served with fire departments in Lumpkin, Klawock and Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, Forsyth County, and Dawson County.Crites is a native of North Carolina and earned a B.S. in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. Crites is on the Swift Water Rescue team, and has served as a medic with the North Metro SWAT team. He is also on the Johns Creek Fire Department Honor Guard.
• Maschmeier, a Missouri native, has been a firefighter since 1996 when he joined the Fort Osage Fire Protection District in Missouri. He became a paramedic a year later. He has also served with the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District in Missouri.In 2006, he was hired by the Gwinnett County Fire Department. Maschmeier joined JCFD at its beginning as a firefighter/paramedic. Maschmeier is a trained fire inspector and is certified in Hazardous Materials Operations.

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