Chief Larry Cox of the Oak Grove Fire Department in Dillon County recently for his contributions to the fire service by presenting him the “Jim Flanagan Award.” The Flanagan Award is given annually to a member of the fire service in the Pee Dee Area for significant contributions to fire safety and fire training both locally and statewide.
The Flanagan Award is presented in memory of Captain Jim Flanagan, a former Training Officer for the City of Florence Fire Department, who was killed in a traffic accident in 1985. Captain Flanagan was a motivating instructor who mentored many firefighters throughout his career. And, it is because of Captain Flanagan’s character, commitment to safety, training and leadership the award is given annually in his name.
The recipient of The Flanagan Award for this year is chosen by his peers and is based on that person’s contributions to the community and state. According to Carter Jones, member of the Award’s Committee, “there must be a tract record of fire service involvement in the area of training and leadership. And, just as important is the criteria of character traits…honesty, integrity, compassion, vision, love of community…all of those attributes we expect of firefighters.”
Jones continued by saying, “Chief Cox is a leader in his department, the community, and has touched the lives of many firefighters throughout the state through quality training. Chief Cox is a founding member of the Oak Grove Fire Department; he is a major player in fire service matters in Dillon County and has served as a “spark” in that County with his coordination of training programs, improved policies, as well as building a fabulous training facility to be used by all departments in the area.”
Cox became an Adjunct Instructor for the S.C. Fire Academy in 1990 and has logged well over 1500 hours of training. He is certified to teach 15 different courses through the Academy. In addition, Cox is a certified Resident State Fire Marshal. He has made the fire service a family affair, even his wife is an instructor with the Academy.
