DeKalb County is grieving the death of Firefighter Preston Fant, who died on Monday during a commercial structure fire at 2569 South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road. Fant, a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, was attempting to rescue another firefighter when he became trapped. He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital but later died from his injuries.
Fire Chief Darnell Fullum described Fant as an “extraordinary public servant, admired by his colleagues and beloved in the community.” Chief Fullum said that Fant “was a highly respected and elite firefighter who brought specialized training in swift water rescue, high-rise operations, and trench rescues.” Stationed at Fire Station 24 in Stone Mountain, Fant “consistently demonstrated courage, skill, and dedication throughout his more than two decades of service.” The chief also noted that Fant “was not only an exceptional firefighter but also a family man whose kindness and humility touched everyone who knew him.”
CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson expressed condolences to the Fant family and pledged support from the county government. She stated that DeKalb County stands with the family and Fire Rescue Department through their grief. In tribute to Fant, flags across DeKalb County will be lowered to half-staff. Counseling services are being offered to Fire Rescue personnel following this loss.
Fant is the first DeKalb County firefighter to die in the line of duty while battling a fire. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Arrangements for funeral and memorial services are pending. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Recent data shows that enrollment at DeKalb County schools dropped by 2.2% in the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year (https://www.gadoe.org/). During that period, DeKalb County schools enrolled 98,287 students (https://www.gadoe.org/), with White students making up 14% of the student body—the third most represented ethnic group (https://www.gadoe.org/).
