---
title: SR 940. Norton, Daniel; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr940
cite_as: SR 940, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr940
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr940.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr940/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74011
date: 2026-03-12
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr939.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr941.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 94
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr940.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 940
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-03-12
last_action: Senate Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Jason Anavitarte
  - Timothy Bearden
  - Lee Anderson
  - Max Burns
  - Kay Kirkpatrick
  - Clint Dixon
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR940/2025
upstream_id: 2132152
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - firefighters
  - Paulding County
  - legislative honor
  - public safety
---

# SR 940. Norton, Daniel; recognize

## Text

Senate Resolution 940
By: Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Bearden of the 30th, Anderson of the 24th, Burns of the
23rd, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Firefighter Daniel Norton of the Paulding County Fire &
Rescue for his outstanding acts of heroism and his dedication to public safety excellence; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Firefighter Daniel Norton has distinguished himself as a dedicated public
servant of Paulding County Fire & Rescue, exemplifying the highest standards of
professionalism, integrity, and commitment to excellence within the fire service; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Norton achieved extraordinary success on the world stage at the
World Police and Fire Olympics, where he earned the gold medal, and he is the reigning
World Heavyweight Champion, proudly representing the United States of America, the State
of Georgia, and Paulding County Fire & Rescue, as well as the fire service community, at
the highest level of international competition; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Norton has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to firefighter
development through his continued service as an instructor with FLAMES, traveling
extensively throughout Georgia and Florida to train and influence hundreds of firefighters
nationwide and abroad, thereby advancing the safety, skill, and readiness of the fire service;
and
WHEREAS, as a Georgia Smoke Diver and FLAMES Chief of Development (COD),
Firefighter Norton developed and implemented a preparatory academy for Paulding County
Fire & Rescue personnel, ensuring participants were mentally and physically prepared for
the demanding conditions of advanced, high-risk training programs; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Norton has shown exceptional dedication to the recognition and
success of his peers by leading the planning and execution of Paulding County Fire &
Rescue's first-ever department awards banquet, including extensive research into recognition
programs, development of award criteria aligned with departmental values, and creation of
an accessible peer-nomination system to ensure fairness, transparency, and meaningful
recognition; and
WHEREAS, while leading significant department-wide initiatives, Firefighter Norton has
continued to pursue his own professional growth, completing officer series NPQ coursework
and becoming one of the first members of Paulding County Fire & Rescue to earn NPQ
certification as an Aerial Operator (AOPL); and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Norton contributes to the long-term strength and sustainability of
the organization through his service on the Recruitment and Retention Committee,
supporting strategic recruitment efforts and personnel selection processes; and
WHEREAS, since joining Paulding County Fire & Rescue with more than a decade of prior
experience, Firefighter Norton has proven himself to be an invaluable asset, respected leader,
mentor, and ambassador for excellence in the fire service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize and commend Firefighter Daniel Norton for his exceptional service and
world-class athletic achievements representing our state and country as well as his lasting
contributions to public safety, firefighter development, and the citizens of the State of
Georgia and extend our sincere appreciation for his continued dedication and leadership.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Firefighter Daniel
Norton.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia Senate resolution formally recognizes Paulding County firefighter Daniel Norton for his firefighting career, training work, and gold medal win at the World Police and Fire Olympics.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution is a ceremonial honor from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It commends Firefighter Daniel Norton of Paulding County Fire & Rescue for his service and achievements, including winning gold and becoming World Heavyweight Champion at the World Police and Fire Olympics.
The resolution also credits Norton with training firefighters across Georgia and Florida as a FLAMES instructor, developing a preparatory academy for Paulding County recruits, organizing the department's first awards banquet, and earning an aerial operator certification. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for Norton, but it creates no new requirements, funding, or legal changes.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes and commends Firefighter Daniel Norton for his firefighting career and public service.
- States the Senate's appreciation for Norton's gold medal win and World Heavyweight Champion title at the World Police and Fire Olympics.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Norton.
- Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement; it is a ceremonial statement only.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names and honors Firefighter Daniel Norton and references Paulding County Fire & Rescue, the FLAMES firefighter training program, and the broader Georgia fire service community he has trained and mentored.

### Why it matters

The resolution has no legal or financial effect on Georgians; its practical result is a formal record of appreciation from the Senate and a printed copy given to Norton, recognizing his firefighting career and athletic achievements.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses describe Norton's gold medal and World Heavyweight Champion title at the World Police and Fire Olympics.
- The whereas clauses describe his work as a FLAMES instructor training firefighters throughout Georgia and Florida.
- The resolved clause formally commends Norton for his service, achievements, and contributions to public safety.
- The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Norton.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-03-12)
- Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-03-12)
- Sponsors: Jason Anavitarte, Timothy Bearden, Lee Anderson, Max Burns, Kay Kirkpatrick, Clint Dixon
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74011

> The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr940.md?full=1