VALDOSTA — Marcus Haynes was selected by the Valdosta Exchange Club as the Valdosta Firefighter of the Year.

Haynes, 30, joined the Valdosta Fire Department in 2007.

Prior to that, Haynes worked as an assistant supervisor at McKey Lumber Company for 12 years. He said he had wanted to be a firefighter for about five years before finally making the move.

Haynes attended the Valdosta Technical College Firefighter I program and was hired by the Valdosta Fire Department in June of 2007.

Valdosta Fire Chief J.D. Rice said Haynes’ “thirst for knowledge, willingness to work hard, and attention to detail are ... what set him apart from his peers. He demonstrates day in and day out the professional standards all firefighters should emulate.”

Haynes said he was shocked to learn that he was the recipient of the award.

“To be honest, I see myself as just being an employee. I come to work to work, but it’s an added blessing to hear Chief Rice and others I work with say good things about the job I’m doing.”

Haynes is a Georgia certified firefighter, a public fire educator, a certified relief driver and certified in hazmat awareness, according to a press release. He successfully completed all disciplines and is a certified member of the Regional Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) Task Force II team, which he was selected for while still a probationary firefighter because of his strong work ethic and dedication.

Haynes said what he likes most about being a Valdosta firefighter is “being able to help other people, serve the community, and just feel like I’m doing my part.”

He said he’s been blessed.

“I definitely could not have done anything without the guys I work around. They have really kept me under their wing, so to speak.”