Fort Oglethorpe’s Ten House Donates Camera to its Youngest Member

FORT OGLETHORPE, GA – Thursday, September 4, 2008 – Several months ago, the members of
Fort Oglethorpe Fire and Rescue Station 10 began making plans to buy a new camera for their
youngest member, Patrick (PJ) Kellam, as a Christmas present.  PJ, an explorer, takes many of the
department photographs and is a very active member at Station 10.  

About two weeks ago the camera that Patrick had been using for several years began to
malfunction and he knew it was time for another one.  His brothers at Station 10 decided to move
up their plans and immediately purchase a new Canon 8 megapixel camera for him.  On Thursday
night at the weekly drill, they presented the surprised PJ with his new camera.

Battalion Chief Doug Flury says “It is not very often you find a kid that has such a strong love for
the fire service.  But the interesting part is that he understands that he can not yet fight fire but he
wants to help in any way that he can.  He has found something that he is good at (photography)
that he can provide to the fire service.  He has done this over and over again, and this was a small
way that we could show him how much we appreciate him.”

Corporal Drew Tapley, who spearheaded the effort to purchase the camera said “We at Firehouse
10 purchased this camera to show PJ how much we appreciate all that he does for our department
and our fire company.  When we found out that his old camera was not working any more, we knew
we had to help our brother out because we always take care of our own.”

PJ uses his camera to take pictures for all the surrounding departments, placing them on his own
website, www.pjk815.com, as well as making sure that the departments receive exposure and
positive press in many emergency services publications.   PJ also provides all pictures that he takes
on emergency scenes to members of these departments at no cost.  He has also been able to keep
photos on his website at no cost for all his second family in emergency services to have access to.  
Having this new camera allows him to continue his efforts in this regard.  

Finally, Lt. Todd Sliger, station officer for Station 10, known as the Duncan Park Express, stated,
“Firehouse 10 presented their youngest member a new camera due to his old camera being
broken. The 10 house presented it due to his outstanding commitment to the DPE and because
brothers at 10’s always help a fellow DPE brother out.”