This week’s Hometown Public Servant is Theda Yawn, Swainsboro Fire Department’s first-ever full-time female firefighter. A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Yawn became a resident of Emanuel County around the age of 14 after relocating to Adrian with her family. She completed her education through the Treutlen County Schools System, graduating in the class of 2017. Yawn furthered her education by attending courses at East Georgia State College. It was in her college years while taking a break from school courses that she decided to follow the path of her father.
“My daddy has been a firefighter for 40 plus years and the Swainsboro Fire Department had a full-time position open. I had recently left college for a gap year and I told my daddy what I wanted to apply. He told me to ‘Go at it’,” Yawn explained.
And Yawn has “been at it” for almost two years now and will mark her second year of employment with the local department on November 3.
When not responding to calls, performing required morning routine checks on all Swainsboro Fire Department’s apparatuses and equipment, or maintaining her required continued education hours as a firefighter, Yawn enjoys attending community events and mingling with the locals - especially the youth.
“It’s so funny to see the reactions of little boys when they ask if I’m a real firefighter and I tell them yes. But to see the little girls look up at their moms and say ‘Mommy, I can be a firefighter, too’ is priceless and inspiring because girls can do it, too,” Yawn stated
