Putnam County Fire Department

Putnam County Fire Department Combination fire department serving the citizens of Putnam County TN since 1977.

We are hiring! Part-Time Firefighter: $18.50/hour​Minimum Qualifications​Age: Must be at least 21 years of age.​Educatio...
06/07/2026

We are hiring!

Part-Time Firefighter: $18.50/hour

​Minimum Qualifications

​Age: Must be at least 21 years of age.

​Education: Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).

​Licensure: Possess a valid Tennessee driver's license with no revocations within the last 24 months.

​Required at Time of Hire

​Medical: Current Tennessee Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) license or higher.

​Fire Training: Successful completion of Basic Firefighting and Live Burn training.

​Post-Hire Certification Timelines

​Within 2 Years: Attain Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Firefighter I certification.

​Within 3 Years: Attain Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Firefighter II and Pump Driver Operator (PDO) certifications.

​Core Operational Expectations

​Must be physically capable of operating in IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) atmospheres while wearing full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

​Must be able to safely drive and operate all department emergency equipment upon employment.

Firefighter Spotlight: Public Affairs Officer Drew Swink | 19 Years of ServiceDrew got into the fire service to help peo...
05/29/2026

Firefighter Spotlight: Public Affairs Officer Drew Swink | 19 Years of Service

Drew got into the fire service to help people. Looking up to his uncle, “Fireman Bruce,” he knew the fire service was something he wanted to be a part of and thought it would be something cool to do.

His favorite part of the job is keeping the public informed and educated about fire safety and sharing what is happening within the fire department.

Drew’s advice for future firefighters is to listen to the “old heads” — they have done it, seen it, and are a wealth of knowledge that can be learned from.

Drew holds multiple certifications, including Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I & II, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Master Public Information Officer, and Emergency Medical Technician.

Outside of the fire department, Drew enjoys helping with the youth group at church, spending time with family, attending baseball games, and traveling to Disney and Universal.

A fun fact about Drew is that he started his fire service career at the age of 14 through the department’s Explorer Program — and never left!

Firefighter Spotlight: Jonathan Abboushi10 Years of ServiceJonathan Abboushi joined the fire service with a passion for ...
05/28/2026

Firefighter Spotlight: Jonathan Abboushi

10 Years of Service

Jonathan Abboushi joined the fire service with a passion for helping others and a love for the adrenaline that comes with the job. Over the past 10 years, he has dedicated himself to serving the community while continuing to grow in the fire service.

One of Jonathan’s favorite parts of the job is teaching kids about fire trucks and helping spark an interest in fire safety and the fire service at a young age.

His advice to future firefighters is to learn from the past so the future can be better — emphasizing the importance of experience, growth, and learning from those who came before you.

Jonathan holds certifications in Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations, Firefighter I & II, Fire Officer I & II, Airport Firefighter, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Outside of the fire department, Jonathan enjoys traveling and hunting.

Thank you, Jonathan, for your dedication and service to the community!

Firefighter Spotlight: Brandi Mezime | 2.5 Years of ServiceBrandi got into the fire service because she wanted to contin...
05/28/2026

Firefighter Spotlight: Brandi Mezime | 2.5 Years of Service

Brandi got into the fire service because she wanted to continue learning, believing that always learning something new helps keep you moving forward. Her favorite part of the job is running medical calls and helping those in need.

Brandi’s advice to future firefighters is that while the job can be challenging, it is well worth it.

Brandi is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician, CPR Instructor, and Master Public Information Officer. She also holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

Outside of the fire department, Brandi enjoys attending church, reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. A fun fact about Brandi is that she enjoys singing — even if the radio is her preferred audience!

Firefighter Spotlight: Captain Paul Stewart14 Years of ServiceCaptain Paul Stewart entered the fire service out of curio...
05/27/2026

Firefighter Spotlight: Captain Paul Stewart

14 Years of Service

Captain Paul Stewart entered the fire service out of curiosity and interest, but quickly “got bit by the bug” — and the rest, as they say, is history. Over the past 14 years, Paul has built a career centered on service, training, and helping others.

One of Paul’s favorite parts of the job is making a child’s day simply by seeing a firetruck or meeting a firefighter. Those moments of excitement and connection with the community are something he truly enjoys.

His advice to future firefighters is to never stop training. The fire service is constantly evolving, and continuing education is critical to staying safe and effective. Paul believes that if you ever feel like you know it all, it may be time to step away before you risk getting yourself or someone else hurt.

Paul holds numerous certifications, including Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations, Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I & II, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Investigator, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In addition, he is also a Certified Fire Explosive Investigator, Emergency Medical Responder Instructor, and CPR Instructor.

Outside of the fire department, Paul enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and hunting.

Thank you, Captain Stewart, for your leadership, dedication, and continued service to the community!

Firefighter Spotlight: Travis Burton3 Years of ServiceTravis Burton joined the fire service with one goal in mind — help...
05/26/2026

Firefighter Spotlight: Travis Burton

3 Years of Service

Travis Burton joined the fire service with one goal in mind — helping people. In his three years of service, he has found one of the most rewarding parts of the job is running into someone he has responded to on a call and hearing how much they appreciate the help firefighters provided during a difficult time.

His advice to future firefighters is simple: this is a hands-on job — you absolutely cannot learn it without doing it. Travis encourages those interested in the fire service to be willing to train, learn, and gain experience whenever possible.

Travis holds several certifications, including Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Firefighter I, and his Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) license.

Outside of the fire department, Travis enjoys riding motorcycles, traveling, and playing sports. A fun fact about Travis is that he is ambidextrous and can throw or catch with both hands!

Thank you, Travis, for your dedication and service to the community!

05/26/2026

Last week, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spent the week training a group of law enforcement and fire personnel in Principles of Fire Investigation. Participants received instruction in fire pattern recognition, fire investigation methodology, scene documentation, and much more.

This class was also the first to utilize the newly constructed burn cell at a Putnam County Fire Department station. The burn cell will serve as a valuable resource for future fire investigation courses and other hands-on training opportunities.

The course included both classroom instruction and practical, hands-on training, including live fire scene examinations and live ignitable liquid demonstration burns. The purpose of these burns was to allow participants to examine fire scenes after extinguishment in order to determine origin and cause, recognize fire patterns, and identify other key indicators during an investigation.

We appreciate the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for providing this valuable training opportunity and helping strengthen fire investigation knowledge and capabilities within our region.

While today may mean a day off, backyard barbecues, and time with family and friends, it’s also a time to pause and reme...
05/25/2026

While today may mean a day off, backyard barbecues, and time with family and friends, it’s also a time to pause and remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Today we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their courage and service will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

Putnam County Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 40 near Exit 273 last night at approximat...
05/24/2026

Putnam County Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 40 near Exit 273 last night at approximately 11:00 p.m. involving a single semi-truck.

Upon arrival, crews discovered the semi had collided with the support pillars of the overpass. The driver was out of the vehicle and suffered only minor injuries, refusing transport to the hospital.

Crews also found the truck’s fuel tank had been compromised and was actively leaking fuel into a nearby ditch. Firefighters immediately began containing and managing the leak while Putnam County EMA was contacted to assist with mitigation efforts.

No obvious damage was observed to the bridge; however, out of an abundance of caution, TDOT was requested to respond to the scene to inspect the structure.

Fire department personnel and EMA representatives remained on scene until approximately 5:00 a.m. addressing the fuel leak and completing other necessary operations.

One lane of travel was impacted during the incident.

Address

700 County Services Drive
Cookeville, TN
38501

Telephone

+19315281200

Website

https://uc.readyop.com/fs/4cLW/0abf2fd6, https://uc.readyop.com/fs/

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