Rice appointed to state Board of Public Safety

Valdosta Fire Chief J.D. Rice was appointed to the Georgia Board of Public Safety by Gov. Sonny Perdue. The 15-member board oversees training procedures for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Georgia State Patrol and all public safety training including police officers, firefighters, sheriff's deputies, emergency medical services and correction officer training.

"It is an honor to be appointed by the governor to serve on the Board of Public Safety," Rice said in a press release. "During my term, I intend to focus on diversifying the training our public safety officials receive. We need to expect the unexpected and be equipped and prepared to perform special rescue operations like weapons of mass destruction response and underwater rescues."

City Manager Larry H. Hanson said in a press release he was thrilled to have a city employee on the board. Rice's term on the board is four years. He is currently the only fire service representative to serve on the years. Rice was nominated by the Georgia Fire Chiefs Association, where he currently serves as past president.