Roswell Fire Chief 'Fighting For His Life' Against Coronavirus

ROSWELL, GA — Roswell Fire Chief Ricky Burnette is "fighting for his life" in the ICU after he contracted the coronavirus.

Former Roswell Fire Chief Ricky Spencer took to social media Thursday asking for prayers.

"To all my FB friends and my brothers and sisters in the Fire-EMS, and first responders from Island Park, NY to Steinhatchee, Florida from Charleston to Phoenix and all points from within, I need your PRAYERS for Roswell Fire Chief Ricky Burnette," Spencer wrote. "Ricky is in ICU in critical condition and on a vent. He has COVID-19 and is fighting for his life. This is a painful time for his family, his firefighters and his friends, which are many."

The two worked together for more than 30 years, with Burnette as deputy chief when Spencer was the chief in Roswell. Burnette was named fire chief in 2014.

"Ricky has been and still is one of the most dedicated firefighters I have ever been associated with over the years," Burnette said. "I’ve watched this man do things that have made the difference in people’s lives whether it was on a fire or EMS scene."

Working with the mayor, city council and city administrator to get the items needed to keep the fire department on top is sometimes a tough job, Spencer said, but Burnette worked tirelessly to ensure that his firefighters have to tools to do the job.

"Firefighting is not an easy job and to manage the Roswell Fire Department and continue to keep it a combination fire department is all but a miracle to make it happen," Spencer said. "This type of fire department saves the citizens of Roswell about $10 million dollars annually. It’s not easy, yet Ricky continues to make it happen. Firefighters from all over Georgia stand in line to work part-time at RFD.

"There is not enough words to express how much I love this man and so proud of the job he has been doing, and he is still our fire chief. Friends, I am asking for your prayers and your support for Ricky, his family, fire family included, and the medical staff that cares for him. We need to get this man well and out of the hospital and back in his office as our fire chief."