Nathan Ellis calls it his 100-year plan.

Within a century, he’d love it if firefighters never had to respond to a structure fire because safety devices such as sprinkler systems are installed in every building.

While it’s doubtful that firefighters will ever be without work, the Gaffney fire chief says it’s still a goal worth striving to achieve.

“As a fire department and as firefighters, if we’re really concerned about our jobs, we‘re not going to just work at putting out fires but preventing them,” he said during his now annual Chief’s Appreciation Dinner, which was held Thursday at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.

During the dinner, the chief recognized numerous city firefighters for their hard work and years of service, and also reflected on the incidents that transpired in 2009, some of which were tragic.

After going six years without a firerelated fatality, two people died in house fires in Gaffney last year.

Working towards fire prevention, the chief noted that grant funding has allowed the Gaffney Fire Department in recent months to install 160 smoke detectors for free in local homes that formerly had no fire safety devices.

Recognized for completing five years of service with the City of Gaffney Fire Department were Jason Blackwell, Jeremy Broome, Gary Burris, Jon Grigg, Beau Hudson, David McDaniel, Chris Moss, John Parsley, Scott Richards, Robert Ruff, Michael Scruggs, John Splawn, Becky Tyler and Chris Weaver.

Recognized for 10 years of service were Josh Borders, Doug Bowers, Robert Grigg and Mike Lester.

Captains Jody Brassington and Wayne Brown were each recognized for 15 years of service, while Driver/Engineer Steve Coggins was given a pin recognizing him for 20 years of service.

Six department members were given the Fire Chief’s Service Award for their efforts to improve the department by serving on its Leadership Team. They included Josh Borders, Scott Patterson, Cline Gore, David McDaniel, Steve Coggins and Jon Grigg.

The fire department members also shared some laughs in marking the 2009 retirement of Lt. Jamie Wylie.