Shelby County Fire Department

A breakfast gathering hosted by IAFF 2585 for the retirees of the SCFD this morning. It was really terrific seeing our significant colleagues again. Many others wanted to be there but were unable. Perhaps next time we can get everyone of us back in the same room for old time's sake. These are the firefighters that have the memories of how difficult things could be. They taught us how to endure, how to work, how to respect and how to survive.

Thank You SCFD Local 2585 for the hospitality and the dedication.

Walnut Grove and Houston Levee. Paving. Avoid the area if possible.

Friday, Shelby County Firefighters, our brand new Shelby County Fire recruit class, and The Chief Clarence L. Cash Jr. Firefighter Foundation spent time at the Memphis Hope Festival sponsored by Commissioner Charlie Caswell.

Our crews enjoyed connecting with the community, giving kids the opportunity to take on a firefighter obstacle course, and introducing our newest recruit class to the importance of community outreach and service beyond emergency calls.

Events like these are a reminder that building relationships and trust within the community is just as important as the work we do on scene. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to spend time with us throughout the day.

(photos and text courtesy of SCFD Lieutenant Jessica Curran)

As EMS Week comes to a rainy close and we prepare to honor the bravest this Memorial Day, let’s take a moment to remember a few of our brothers who served besides us throughout many of our tours of service here at The Department.

Although they are no longer physically with us, they will always remain in our hearts. Please take a moment to help us remember EMS professionals here at home and across the nation who leave behind a lasting legacy in Emergency Medical Services:

• Firefighter/Paramedic Alexander R. Sparks “Sparky”
• Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew T. Johnson “Lil Andy”
• Lieutenant/AEMT Terry L. Watts “T-Watts”

During their time with us, each made a significant impact on their patients and on all of us. The Shelby County Fire Department family will continue to honor Alex, Andy, and Terry always.

Happy EMS Week everyone.

With Memorial Day approaching, we would like to honor a couple of individuals who wear a third “hat.”

Today, we spotlight Firefighters Kayla Colwye and Madison Atwood. Both recently obtained their EMT certification while continuing to serve our country as military servicemembers.

Firefighter Kayla Colwye joined the Shelby County Fire Department in 2025 and received her EMT certification last week. When asked what she thinks about the EMS field, Kayla said, “It makes you look at the bigger picture!”

Kayla currently serves as a Senior Airman in the Air National Guard and has served for three and a half years. Specializing in Human Resources and Administration, Kayla did not have much medical experience before joining the fire service. While in the military, she attended a Tactical Combat Casualty Care course, which introduced her to the importance of hemorrhage control. That experience opened her eyes to emergency services and the fire department.

Kayla moved to Memphis four years ago from Arkansas and worked several jobs before finding her calling. In her free time, she enjoys bowling, going on cruises, traveling, and drawing. She has two cats named McSteamy and McDreamy, as well as a dog named Benito. When asked what motivates her to keep pushing, Kayla replied, “I CAN do hard things.”

Firefighter Madison Atwood joined SCFD in the latter part of 2025 after moving from Washington state. Like her counterpart, Madison also obtained her EMT license last week. Having no EMS licensure prior to joining the fire department, Madison considers EMS an interesting part of the job. While completing EMT school, she developed an eagerness to learn more about anatomy and looks forward to attending Advanced EMT school.

Madison holds the rank of Specialist in the Army National Guard and has served as a Fire Support Specialist for five and a half years. After becoming a Combat Lifesaver as an additional duty, Madison’s medical experience remained limited, but that course piqued her interest in EMS and drove her to expand her skillset.

In her free time, Madison enjoys riding her Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, playing video games, and traveling the world. She is also a proud cat mom to W***y and Willow, whom she loves to spoil rotten.

Let’s take our hats off to these two individuals as they successfully juggle three roles: military servicemember, firefighter, and now EMT.

We are halfway through EMS Week, and we want to continue celebrating our amazing EMS professionals!

Today, we would like to spotlight a seasoned paramedic, Quinton Johnson.

Quinton started his career with the Memphis Fire Department in 2012, where he began his EMS journey, not realizing at the time that paramedics were part of the fire service. He obtained his EMT license in 2013 and immediately continued his education, becoming a paramedic in 2017.

Initially, Quinton obtained his medical licensure because it was required for the job, but he soon developed a true passion for medicine. In addition to responding to emergency calls with the fire department, Quinton also worked for a private ambulance company to strengthen his skills before joining the Shelby County Fire Department in 2017.

Always eager to learn and grow, Quinton just completed nursing school last week!

When asked what he loves about EMS, Quinton said he enjoys the fast-paced environment, the ability to think critically, staying calm under pressure, and making a real difference.

“Seeing someone at their worst and being there to improve their status from bad to good is what it’s all about!”

Quinton is also a devoted father of two children, a son and daughter. He spends most of his free time with them during football, gymnastics, and other sports activities.

Fun fact: Quinton is not only a former Division I athlete, but also a black belt in Taekwondo!?!?!!!

The saying “confidence is the enemy of growth” constantly resonates with him and pushes him toward improvement. With all of his achievements, it is clear that mindset is working.

Please join us in recognizing Firefighter…Paramedic…and soon to be registered nurse…Quinton Johnson and all that he brings to the Shelby County Fire Department.

The SCFD's newest fire fighters started this week. Under the guidance of Training Instructors Lt. Revoldo Chillis and Instructor Angel Fagans they will embark on a new and fascinating career here with us. We're very proud to welcome these awesome people. Give them a round of applause please.

To continue EMS Week, we would like to highlight newly minted EMT Jonathan Schlaack.

Jonathan moved to the Mid-South in 2021 from Michigan and worked as a hospital care coordinator for three years. In 2025, Jonathan joined the Shelby County Fire Department because he wanted to be part of a team and serve the community. That decision started his EMS journey, which led to Jonathan, alongside his fire school classmates, earning their EMT licenses just last week.

Jonathan is staying on track and enrolled in AEMT class, ready to take on the next step with an eager mindset.

Fun fact: Jonathan and his brother are “TikTok famous” for making funny videos. In his free time, he enjoys biking, running, and pretty much anything fitness-related. Some of you may have even seen him compete in his first Firefighter Challenge in Pensacola Beach, where he won 1st place in his age category for males.

A phrase Jonathan lives by is, “Be hard to destroy!” With all that smarts and fitness, he is well on his way.

Jonathan has been married for three years and has a son on the way. We look forward to meeting Baby Boy Schlaack soon!

This week, we are celebrating Emergency Medical Services Week by recognizing the dedication of our EMS professionals here at the Shelby County Fire Department. We want to acknowledge their hard work, commitment, and sacrifice as they continue working toward one common goal: helping save lives.

To kick off EMS Week, we would like to introduce you to one of our dedicated paramedics, Dustin Richard.

Dustin began his EMS career in 2004 as an EMT-IV in the private sector before joining the Millington Fire Department in 2008. He later transitioned to AEMT in 2013. In 2022, Dustin joined the Shelby County Fire Department, where he began working toward his paramedic license, which he earned in 2024.

When asked what led him to EMS, Dustin recalled an incident from when he was about 10 years old. He witnessed a head-on collision and remembered how chaotic the scene was, but also how well the emergency personnel managed it. One moment stayed with him: a woman was told her husband had passed away, but the news was delivered with no empathy. From that moment on, Dustin knew what he wanted to do with his life!

He was drawn to EMS because he loves to help people when they need it most. A quote Dustin lives by is: “I don’t have to be the best, but I need to be the best for my patient.”

Dustin has been happily married for seven years and is a devoted father of three sons. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, relaxing, and spending time with friends.

Please join us in applauding Dustin for all he does for his community and the Shelby County Fire Department!