DeKalb County is mourning the death of Firefighter Preston Fant, who died in the line of duty on Monday. Fant, a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, was responding to a commercial structure fire at 2569 South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road when he became trapped while attempting to rescue another firefighter. He was removed from the building and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he 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.” According to Chief Fullum, “Fant was a highly respected and elite firefighter who brought specialized training in swift water rescue, high-rise operations, and trench rescues. He was stationed at Fire Station 24 in Stone Mountain and consistently demonstrated courage, skill, and dedication throughout his more than two decades of service.” The chief also said 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 offered condolences to Fant’s family and said that DeKalb County would support them during this time. She stated: “The county stands alongside the family and Fire Rescue Department, committing to walk with them through their grief.” In honor of Fant’s service, flags across DeKalb County will be lowered to half-staff. Counseling services are being provided for fire personnel affected by the loss.
Fant is the first DeKalb County firefighter to die in the line of duty while fighting a fire. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once finalized. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Enrollment at DeKalb County schools dropped by 2.2% during the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year (https://www.gadoe.org/). In total, DeKalb County schools enrolled 98,287 students during that period (https://www.gadoe.org/). White students made up 14% of the student body in DeKalb County schools for that same school year (https://www.gadoe.org/).
