Savannah Fire & Emergency Services Capt. Elzie Kitchen Jr. was recognized Wednesday as fire officer of the year.
Kitchen, a Savannah native who has worked at the fire department 15 years, said he was honored to receive the award from the Southside Optimist Club.
“It’s just humbling,” he said before the ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Midtown. “You enjoy doing a good job, you enjoy doing something and then get recognized for it.”
Kitchen, a company officer with the hazmat unit, where he’s spent most of his time at the department, holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health with a concentration in fire science. He is a few courses away from completing a master’s degree in emergency management from Columbia Southern University.
Recently, Kitchen became a safety officer for the department and he rides in an acting capacity as battalion chief when the need arises, said Mark Keller, Savannah Fire spokesman.
Kitchen also serves on the department’s standard operating procedure and communications committees.
He hopes eventually to become a battalion chief or an emergency manager.
Kitchen said his favorite part of working for the fire department is customer service.
“I like interacting with the people, answering any questions they have, taking care of any concerns that we can handle,” he said.