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FAMILY AFFAIR
JOYS STAND AS UNIFIED FORCE IN THE FACE OF FIRE
STORY BY TAMARA GREGOR , PHOTOS BY STAFF
When Sal Joy first donned his bunker gear at the age of 17 , he had no idea his firefighting fever would become infectious .
Fast forward 27 years into the future and Sal , Meridian Fire Chief at age 44 , has inspired not just one , but four others to battle blazes , run toward risk and stand in the face of danger to protect people and property .
Now , he ’ s established a legacy through years spent together and a shared experience , and he couldn ’ t ask for a better team .
That ’ s because at Meridian Volunteer Fire Department , he ’ s flanked by his wife Christina , his son Baby Sal and his daughter Cheyann . In two years , the last Joy , Alexis , now 14 , will join the ranks of the Junior Department .
There may not be any bond stronger than one forged through fire and blood . That burning passion flows through each of the Joys ’ veins and has been front and center in Meridian since the family joined the firehouse in 2011 .
Sal , who has worked diligently to extinguish fires for 11 years in Stephens County , took over as Meridian ’ s chief in 2021 after Ben Cheek retired with 52 years of service .