The Harlem City Council recognized two citizens for their assistance at a major house fire in the city.
On April 27, there was a house fire in Harlem near North Harlem Elementary School, said Harlem Mayor Roxanne Whitaker. While firefighters from both Harlem and the county worked to extinguish the flames, Trey Mackey and Travis Sims also came to assist. For their efforts, the city council presented them certificates of recognition.
“There was somebody who left the school to go assist as well, and that’s Mr. Travis Sims (assistant principal at North Harlem Elementary School),” Whitaker said. “Mr. Sims is new to Harlem, so he really doesn’t understand our concept when I tell him we are Harlem. He exemplified what we are, we jump in when somebody is in need.”
Mackey, who Whitaker said was an off-duty firefighter from Richmond County at the time, was not able to attend the meeting, but she did read an email he sent.
“Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the meeting tonight,” the email from Mackey said. “Please give and accept my gratitude for the undeserving recognition that the city offers. I was simply helping out in (the way) I know a few things about. Recognition belongs to the police chief who pumped the fire and all the firefighters who worked together to bring order to a chaotic situation. Our city is in good hands with the professional services provided by Harlem Fire Department and Harlem Police Department.”
Whitaker also thanked the Harlem Police Department for their assistance during the fire.
“I do want to thank our policemen because this happened when school was getting out, so they were having to manage traffic and hysterical children and hysterical parents and a big kudos to them,” Whitaker said.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
