Cobb County Fire Lieutenant Honored with 2025 Local Hero Award

COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Lieutenant Dustin Tinney of Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services was recently presented with the 2025 Local Hero Award by the West Cobb Business Association in recognition of his exceptional dedication to both the citizens and firefighters of Cobb County.

Lt. Tinney was honored for his leadership and service across multiple critical areas, including his pivotal role in preparing and managing hazardous materials readiness for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. In that capacity, he led planning efforts with the National Guard 4th CST and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and served as the HazMat Branch Leader, commanding 14 members across three operational zones and coordinating six internal and external response groups to ensure seamless, high-stakes operations.

Beyond major event preparedness, Lt. Tinney has been instrumental in advancing the department’s HazMat capabilities, rigorously testing new monitoring equipment to ensure only top-performing tools are adopted while avoiding unnecessary spending.

He also serves on the Cobb Fire Cancer Committee, where he helps develop training, equipment standards, and protocols to reduce carcinogen exposure through improved decontamination and gear-handling procedures.

Lt. Tinney’s commitment to the department extends to firefighter development through his work with recruit training working groups, where he contributes to shaping the next generation of Cobb County firefighters.

Most recently, Lt. Tinney and his crew were recognized for their swift actions in locating and rescuing an unconscious victim during a structure fire, an event that further exemplified his courage, leadership, and dedication to public service.