Longtime Jackson fire chief inducted into Tennessee Fire Service Hall of Fame

JACKSON, Tenn. — Retired fire chief Owen Collins has spent a lifetime building a legacy in fire service leadership, firefighter education, and public safety that continues to resonate across Tennessee and beyond.

Thursday, Collins was inducted into the Tennessee Fire Chief Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at the Doubletree Hotel Thursday.

Collins entered the fire service in 1960 as a volunteer member of the Jackson-Madison County Civil Defense Fire Department.

Chief Collins officially retired from the Jackson Fire Department in February 2001. But even after retirement his passions carried him into new adventures.

We spoke with Collins who said he was honored to be recognized.

“It was exciting, it was interesting, challenging. This is a little unusual situation for me, I appreciate it, certainly. I’m honored by it, but that’s pretty much it. It’s quite an honor,” said Collins.

In retirement, Collins also held a U.S. Merchant Marine Captain’s license and spent a decade delivering yachts and large vessels along Americas rivers and coastlines.

He traveled extensively between the Great Lakes, Florida Keys and Gulf Coast adding yet another chapter to his adventurous life.

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