Douglas County fire chief honors 11-year-old hero 11-year-old honored for helping family escape fire An 11-year-old Douglas County boy was honored by the fire department for helping a family of four from a burning home. DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - The Douglas County Fire Department honored an 11-year-old boy Thursday for his part in helping four of his family members escape from a devastating fire earlier this month. "If he wasn't 11 years old, I would hire him on the spot," said Douglas Co. Fire Chief Roderick Jolivette. Chief Jolivette presented Calil Gillis with a citizen award for his quick thinking. "It started getting hotter and hotter in my room and I woke up to see what was going on and turn the AC on," Gillis recalled. "So, when I woke up, [there] was white smoke coming out the vents."