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The Magee Fire Department gathered for its annual Fire Banquet to celebrate another year of service, training, and dedication to the community on Thursday, October 10, 2025. The evening was filled with reflection, gratitude, and recognition for the men and women who serve Magee with courage and commitment.
Honoring Fallen Heroes
The ceremony opened with a solemn memorial led by Chief David Craft, honoring fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
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The first rose was placed in memory of military members who gave their lives in service.
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The second rose honored the 343 firefighters lost during the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
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The third rose was dedicated to past members of the Magee Fire Department who paved the way for today’s firefighters.
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The fourth rose, presented by Shane Little, paid tribute to Tate Clayburn, a former firefighter who passed away after an eight-year battle with brain cancer.
Chaplain James Fortenberry offered the blessing for the meal before the evening continued with presentations and awards.
Recognizing Firefighters and Their Families
Firefighters’ wives were recognized and presented with roses by their husbands — a heartfelt moment acknowledging the support and sacrifices made by their families.
2025–2026 Officer Recognition
Officers for the upcoming year were introduced and recognized:
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Parliamentarian: Hunter Steele
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Secretary: Mark Parker
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Rescue Lieutenant: Ben Berch
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Lieutenant 2: John Ready
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Lieutenant 1: Rueben Koehn
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Rescue Captain: John Hosey
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Captain 2: Shane Steele
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Captain 1: Michael Allan
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Assistant Chief: Tony Puckett
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Chief: David Craft
Training Excellence
Training was a major focus throughout the year. Michael Allan reported that the Magee Fire Department completed 126 hours of in-house training and a total of 636 hours overall through various specialized programs.
Chevron Fire School
On November 8, 2024, firefighters Hunter Steele, John Ready, and Michael Allan completed 8 hours of Industrial Firefighting Training at Chevron Fire School in Pascagoula.
First Hands Course
Held at Co-Lin Simpson County Center on July 8, 2025, this session included bleed control and trauma care training plus instruction on opioid overdose response. Participants included:
John Ready, David Craft, John Hosey, Aaron Lindsey, Ben Berch, Hunter Steele, Mark Parker, and Michael Allan.
Mississippi Fire Academy
Several firefighters expanded their credentials through the Mississippi State Fire Academy:
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Fire Inspector Level 1 (80 hours): John Hosey and David Craft
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Volunteer Level 2 Certification (38 hours): Hunter Steele, Ben Berch, and John Ready
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1001 Volunteer-Based Firefighter Certification (Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Hazmat A&O): John Ready
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Driver/Pumper Operator NFPA 1002 (80 hours): Tyler Stanford
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Volunteer Driver Operator Level 1 (32 hours): John Ready and Michael Allan
Service and Attendance Awards
Training and call attendance were key highlights of the evening:
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The Magee Fire Department responded to 254 fire calls in the past year, totaling 2,546 man-hours — an average of 93.4 hours per firefighter.
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Firefighters with over 50% call response: David Craft (73%), John Hosey (78%), John Ready (62%), and Shane Steele (56%).
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Top Fire Call Attendance: John Hosey with 198 of 254 calls (77.95%).
Meeting attendance awards were presented to those with 75% or better participation:
Shane Steele, Hunter Steele, John Ready, Tony Puckett, Mark Parker, Aaron Lindsey, Rueben Koehn, John Hosey, and Michael Allan.
David Craft earned special recognition for achieving 100% attendance throughout the year.
Special Recognition and Service Awards
Four firefighters were honored for achieving 50% or greater attendance in both meetings and calls, with awards provided by PriorityOne Bank and Peoples Bank:
David Craft, John Hosey, Shane Steele, and John Ready.
Years of Service Awards were presented to:
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Ben Berch – 5 Years
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James Fortenberry – 5 Years
Firefighter of the Year
The evening’s highest honor, Firefighter of the Year, was presented to John Ready, recognizing his dedication, leadership, and outstanding service to the Magee Fire Department and the citizens of Magee.
Closing
The banquet concluded with a closing statement from James Fortenberry, expressing appreciation to all members, their families, and the community for their continued support.
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