DeKalb County is mourning the death of Master Firefighter Preston Fant, who died in the line of duty on September 8, 2025. Fant, a 21-year veteran with DeKalb County Fire Rescue, lost his life while fighting a commercial warehouse fire in Stone Mountain. He was 53 years old and served at Fire Station 24 as part of an elite unit trained for swift water rescues, high-rise operations, and trench rescues.
Fant is remembered as a mentor and father figure within the department. He is the first firefighter from DeKalb to die while actively battling a fire. He leaves behind his wife, five children, extended family members, and colleagues from the fire department.
CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson stated: “Firefighter Fant embodied the very best of DeKalb County. His courage, his sacrifice, and his devotion to protecting others will never be forgotten. We extend our love and support to his family, and we will stand with them now and always.”
Fire Chief Darnell Fullum said: “Master Firefighter Fant was an extraordinary public servant, admired by his colleagues and beloved in the community. He was highly respected, elite in everything he did, and his loss leaves a tremendous void in our department.”
On September 11th, county leaders joined firefighters and police officers at headquarters for a memorial ceremony honoring both those lost on September 11th and Master Firefighter Fant’s service.
DeKalb County officials noted that benefits are available for families of fallen first responders through county and state programs to help provide care over time. In response to public requests for immediate support for Fant’s family, the county shared their official GoFundMe page: Fundraiser by Percy Dixon : Remembering Preston Fant, A True Hero.
Flags have been lowered across DeKalb County in honor of Fant. Funeral arrangements will be announced when finalized.
The county has asked residents to keep the Fant family and DeKalb Fire Rescue Department in their thoughts during this period of mourning.
Enrollment at DeKalb County schools dropped by about 2.2% during the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year (https://www.gadoe.org/). The total student enrollment for that period was reported as 98,287 students (https://www.gadoe.org/). White students represented approximately 14% of this student body (https://www.gadoe.org/).
