A station patch is a proud firefighter tradition you’ll find nationwide, and our guys here in the City of Forsyth Fire Department are no different. To get the scoop on Station 101’s own patch, we met up with Sergeant Hunter McLendon, the firefighter with the wicked graphic design skills behind “Fox City Express!”
Separate from the department patch, or badge, a station patch is unique to each station within a fire department. As Sgt. McLendon will tell you, the department patch is for the community—the station patch is “for us, for our guys.” It’s all about company pride and team morale, steeped in hyperlocal symbols and inside jokes that reflect the guys on the truck. While Station 101 may be the only station in the FFD—for now—Sgt McLendon says should Forsyth ever get a Station 102, they won’t be Fox City Express #2…they’ll have a patch all their own!
So what’s the story behind Fox City Express? Sgt. McLendon describes it as an evolution of symbolism that comes from every firefighter at 101. Sgt. McLendon may have exported the vision with his graphics skills, but the patch was designed by the whole team. They went through several versions before the guys felt they got it right. There is layer upon layer of lore in the patch design:
The Fox
The first thing you’ll see in the patch is the growling Fox in Company 101 turn out gear, which if you know much about Forsyth you know represents “Fox City.” Where Forsyth gets its nickname is a story for another day!
The Train
You can’t miss the train racing full speed ahead! The railroad is a key facet of Forsyth’s landscape, both in the past and present day, and the city wouldn’t be what it is today without it.
The Bulldog
Looking to the train’s cab, you’ll see a fierce Bulldog peering out the window. Sgt. McLendon estimates 75%, maybe 80% of FFD’s full time firefighters are alumni of Mary Persons High School, home of the Bulldogs. As local guys, Station 101 felt it just wouldn’t be a patch for Forsyth without their alma mater’s mascot!
The “75 Slip-and-Slide”
You probably spotted the I-75 on the train’s face, but did you note the water under the train where tracks or a road might be? That’s not to represent the Towaliga River, but what the guys at 101 jokingly refer to as the “75 Slip-and-Slide!” A lot of FFD calls are for motor vehicle accidents, particularly on the interstate. “But when are wrecks almost guaranteed to occur? When it rains.” said Sgt. McLendon and thus the nickname was born!
The “Fox City Express” captures it all. A patch like this could only be for Station 101. After rolling the design out as stickers this past December, the station patch is now proudly emblazoned on the back of their new rescue truck!
Sgt. McLendon says the plan is for the patch to be on all of the station’s trucks, as well as uniforms and gear. It’s another way the FFD is staying modern and keeping station morale high. With a near-zero turnover rate, Sgt. McLendon attributes that to “great equipment, great leadership, and staying modern.”
The Visit Forsyth GA Team appreciates everything the Forsyth Fire Department does to keep the City of Forsyth safe for our residents and visitors!