Heather Ayres
Pulaski Fire Department
Pulaski, TN
Mrs. Ayres created the Giles County Rehab Unit, which serves the personnel and officers of Giles County's fire, police, and EMS departments. She coordinates direct support for first responders, ensuring their basic needs are met at all hours of the day and night. Her role includes delivering drinks, snacks, meals, and essential supplies during emergency responses and large-scale incidents. During extreme cold, Mrs. Ayres provides heaters, hot chocolate, and coffee to help responders stay safe, alert, and operational. When the necessities needed to fuel first responders are running low, Mrs. Ayres reaches out to her amazing community to step in and help by ordering from the unit's Amazon wish list. Beyond physical supplies, Mrs. Ayres also provides consistent encouragement and community support, making sure first responders know they are valued, appreciated, and never forgotten. "Heather and I met when we were both on the Leadership Giles Team and then became Giles County Chamber Diplomats. We helped plan, coordinate, and set up events for citizens of Pulaski and Giles Counties. Heather goes way above and beyond for her community, and I couldn't be more proud to call her my friend," said Ayres' nominator, Brittany Bryant of ValuTeachers. Mrs. Ayres' husband serves as the Chief of the Pulaski Fire Department, and her son, Kasey, also serves as a firefighter in the department.
Heather, Jamie, and Kasey