COBB COUNTY - The Cobb County Fire Investigations Unit was selected as Fire Investigator of the Year by the Georgia Arson Control Board.

Cobb's unit investigates about 300 fires a year. The unit is made up of Chief Fire Investigator Rodney Sanders and four on-call investigators, Kenneth LeCroy, Charles Williams, Gregory Cloer and William Dawson. All five are members of the Georgia Fire Investigator's Association, the Metro Fire Investigator's Association, and the Metro Arson Task Force.

Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairman Sam Olens said, "The norm is that this goes to an individual, but this is the first time we know of that the award has gone to a group. It's really impressive that they as a group are rewarded, but it's not surprising as year in and year out they dedicate themselves to the community through the unit and their professional associations."

Their duties include investigating fires within the county, prosecuting crimes and promoting fire safety.

Sanders said that the investigators are called to the scene of a fire if: the fire department responds and cannot determine the cause of the fire; if it is ruled as arson; if someone dies or there are serious injuries; if it is a high-profile crime; or if there is a small fire the Cobb Police Department needs someone to investigate, but did not call the fire department. The number of investigators called to the scene is determined by the extent of the fire. Each member of the unit is also involved in various community organizations, Sanders said.

Sanders said the unit was presented with the award last month in Savannah, where each member of the unit received a plaque. County Manager David Hankerson and Public Safety Director Mickey Lloyd accompanied the unit to Savannah.

"I feel very honored and proud of the people in the unit," Sanders said. "There's not just one individual who does all of the work. Each member works collectively in the unit to serve our community the best way possible."

Sanders said that this is the first year the unit was nominated for the award.

The Georgia Arson Control Program, Inc. was formed in January of 1979 by property and casualty insurers writing business in Georgia.