Madison County’s Eric Turner named Tennessee Fire Chief of the Year
JACKSON, Tenn. — One local fire chief attended what he thought was an annual meeting, but was surprised when he was awarded Tennessee Fire Chief of the Year.
Madison County Fire Chief Eric Turner was awarded Tennessee Fire Chief of the Year. Chief Turner says the award came as a big surprise.
“This is was our annual meeting and this is when they give awards and different things like that. So, it was a scheduled event, but obviously I didn’t know that I was receiving an award,” said Turner.
COURTESY: Madison County Fire Department
Chief Turner attended the meeting with fellow crew members. As the announcer was presenting the award, they began reading accomplishments that lined up with his own.
“They just started giving my bio that somebody put together for me. So all of the stuff–they were talking about our department, our Madison County Fire Department, and things about me. Some of it started sounding familiar and I’m thinking ‘Hey! They’re talking about me,'” said Turner.
COURTESY: Madison County Fire Department
This isn’t his first time Turner has been awarded as Fire Chief of the Year. Before Turner was named chief, he began as a volunteer and since then has made numerous accomplishments.
“You’re nominated by other fire chiefs throughout the state of Tennessee. Then there’s a group of past presidents of the chiefs association. All those nominees go to them and they choose that person,” said Turner.
COURTESY: Madison County Fire Department
This award he says caught him completely off guard. One achievement that was mentioned was highlighting madison county’s special operations division.
This group is comprised of 30+ trained firemen who assist in natural disasters across America.
“You can only train for so much, then when you go work at a disaster somewhere it just better prepares our people for if something bad happens here or, when something bad happens here, they’re better prepared. They’re used to working those types of emergencies. So, as bad as it is and as hard as it is, it’s good for our people to get that kind of experience. You can’t buy that kind of training,” said Turner.
Chief Turner carries advice that was given to him years ago that he still applies to this day.
“I was told by an older, wiser chief years ago, when I first became a fire chief–because I was a young fire chief, as fire chiefs are–and they told me ‘surround yourself with good people,'” said Turner.
He also shares one of his favorite parts of working for the Madison County Fire Department is the people.
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