DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Lanier Swafford, a fixture in Dawson County’s Fire Department for almost 30 years, has announced he will resign effective Friday.

Swafford served in the dual role of emergency services director and fire chief until the department was restructured earlier this year. At that time, Swafford accepted a voluntary demotion but retained both ranks until the county hired Danny Thompson as the new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) director last week.

“It is clear the county and Mr. Thompson have decided to go in a different direction, so I have resigned my position effective Friday,” Swafford said.

He started working as a volunteer fireman in Dawson County in 1989 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1991. In 1997, he became a full-time firefighter and was named chief of the volunteer fire department.

Former EMS Director Billy Thurmond promoted Swafford to EMS division chief in 2007. In 2015, he succeeded Thurmond as EMS director.

Thurmond said, “This is a tremendous loss for Dawson County. Lanier was dedicated to the citizens for over 25 years. It’s a huge loss. He is the kind of person you can’t replace. He always had the best interest of the citizens at heart even to the point of missing out on some opportunities with his family due to his dedication.”

Tim Satterfield, who served as deputy fire chief under Swafford, said, “Lanier is a good man. He has done a lot for the citizens of Dawson County and Dawson County Emergency Services. He is well respected throughout the state with all the work he has done for fire services and firefighters in Georgia. I wish him well.”

Swafford said he has worked with Thompson this week to ensure the transition was as smooth as possible.

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