HR 1538: City of Cochran Fire Department; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors the City of Cochran Fire Department for its response to a house fire on North Sixth Street in Cochran on December 25, 2025. Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames and smoke and were told a woman was trapped inside. Under Chief Brock Wilcher's direction, crew members entered through a bedroom window in extreme heat and zero visibility, found the unconscious woman, pulled her out, and began CPR before handing her care to Heartland EMS. She was taken to a burn center in Augusta and was expected to return home later that month. The resolution does not change any law. It formally commends the department and the named firefighters for their actions and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to the fire department.

• Formally commends the City of Cochran Fire Department for its actions during a December 25, 2025 house fire rescue.
• Names and praises specific individuals: Chief Brock Wilcher, Sergeant Colton Kleinfeld, and Firefighters Timothy McElroy, Quang Nguyen, Bruce Nguyen, Nicholas Mleczko, and Michael Angus.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the fire department.
• Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a ceremonial expression of appreciation by the House.

The City of Cochran Fire Department and the named firefighters and chief are directly honored. The rescued resident and her family, Heartland EMS, and the Cochran community are referenced in the resolution's account of the incident.

While the resolution carries no legal or financial effect, it creates an official public record recognizing the specific first responders who rescued a woman from a burning home, which can matter to the department, the individuals named, and the community they serve.

• The whereas clauses describe the December 25, 2025 fire at 145 North Sixth Street and the rescue of a trapped, unconscious woman.
• The resolved clause commends the department for bravery, decisive action, and exceptional service and expresses appreciation for its dedication to public safety.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to the City of Cochran Fire Department.

1. 2026-03-03House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-03House Hopper (House)

• Danny Mathis (R, HD-133)Primary sponsor
• Lauren McDonald (R, HD-026)
• Johnny Chastain (R, HD-007)
• Derrick McCollum (R, HD-030)
• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)
• Bill Yearta (R, HD-152)

• fire department
• first responders
• public safety
• Cochran Georgia
• legislative commendation