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Show 4A Emery County Progress, Castle Dale, Utah Tuesday, February 2, 1 999 Garth Childs honored as Emery County Person of the Year 1998 Emery County Progress Castle Dale, Utah Gentlemen: You have asked for nominations for Emery County Man of the Year for me there is only one choice for this nomination. If you were asking for Man of the Decade or even for nominations for Man of the Century there would still be only one choice and that man is Garth Childs. Garth has spent a lifetime in community service and at the same time has maintained a strong family unit with his emphasis on the importance of family and friends. Garth was instrumental in developing the volunteer fire departments and coordinating their efforts. He brought the first formal training program in through the Utah Valley Technical School. This training was started in the early 70s and has continued to this day. The safety of those in the fire service has always been a priority for Garth and he has worked to obtain city, county, and state funding to provide the best equipment and training possible. Our fire departments today are among the best in the state because of his efforts as Emery County Fire Chief and Huntington City Fire Chief. Garth served as a volunteer on the county ambulance service when this was first started and has been actively involved in the county ambulance and emergency medical technician service throughout its existence here in Emery County. Garth is a member of the Sheriffs posse and volunteers countless hours in search and rescue operations and community service projects as a member of this great group of volunteers. Garth has been active in the Scouting program and his leadership and support have assisted many young men as they advanced through the Scouting program. Ive known Garth all my life and there has never been a time when he was not actively involved in service to others, to his family, and to our communities here in Emery County. Garth Childs is my nomination for Man of the Century! Garth Childs Garth is a life time resident of Emery County who not only loves this area with all its diversity, but also has a great love for the people who live here. He is the oldest of Max and Renee Childs sons. After returning to Huntington after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-DaSaints in Palmyra, New York and serving his country during the Viet Nam War in Germany where he was stationed, he married and started y his service to this community. In 1976, Garth was asked by the Huntington City Council to become the Fire Chief for the city. At that time the fire department consisted of one old American La France pumper truck, a siren on top of City Hall and willing citizens who ran to the fire to help when the siren was sounded. Within a very short time after Garth was appointed Chief, Huntington and the County started improving the fire protection in the county. New trucks and equipment were purchased, a new fire station was built, but most importantly, a permanent volunteer fire department was organized and trained. Because of this, each citizens fire insurance dropped considerably. Garth also decided at this time to become an Emergency Medical Technician for the County. He was in the first EMT class offered in this area and has now been serving on the ambulance service for over 22 years. During the years that he worked in the coal mines, Garth was also a member of the American Coal and Emery Mining Mine Rescue Teams which took first place in national competition for two years in 1977 and 1981 . After leaving the mine, he has still occasionally judged theses competitions on a local level. For many years he has been a member of the Emery County Jeep Posse and has seen some very interesting and tragic things happen within our county. He is currently the Sergeant in that organization. In 1991 as a member of the Utah National Guard, Garth was again asked to serve his country during the Gulf War. Once again he was sent to Germany to help train the troops that were going into Saudi Arabia. It was a difficult time for both he and his family, but one that he did willingly and well. Garth is still Huntingtons Fire Chief as well as the Chief of the County Chiefs Association. This group of individuals have worked very hard to improve the fire protection within Emery County. They have just purchased new fire trucks and equipment for the county which will ensure years of quality protection for the citizens. They also continue to train and themselves and their firemen through classes taught through the Fire Training Academy in Provo. Although it would seem that Garth is more than busy with these services, he has still managed to give even more of his time and self. He has gone into the schools and given demonstrations on fire safety and awareness as well as on the Mountain Men which is a great love of his. He has been an enthusiastic scout leader who has been given several awards for his work with our young men. He has served his Church as the Stake Mission President and is currently the 2nd Counselor in the Huntington First Ward Bishopric. But above and beyond all this, he has been and is a wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife Alyce have been blessed with four terrific children; Kimberly Monson, husband Dr. E. Shayne Monson and son Kameron of Gresham, Oregon, Kate, Kevin, and Kalvin who is serving a mission in Minnesota. life-lon- Garth Childs, a great and loving family man. Garth Childs, a busy man for leisure activities. g that sometimes finds time Garth Childs, a man dedicated to his country. Garth Childs, loving grandfather. ( Garth Childs, a man honored for his service to others. |