Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks was named the 2018-2019 “Fire Chief of the Year” by the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association (TFCA) Thursday (July 18) at the 91st Annual Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs/51st Annual Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association.
Foulks had a major hand in bringing the conference to
Murfreesboro for the first time in its history. Approximately 300 Fire Chiefs
and their family members attended this week’s conference.
The award, presented by Nominating Committee Chairman Chief John Selberg of Germantown, recognized the outstanding contributions made by Chief Foulks over the past year. Foulks was selected by a committee after reviewing nominations received from across the state. During his award presentation, Chief Selberg praised Chief Foulks for his contributions to the Statewide Mutual Aid System and his work with the Tennessee Fire Chiefs All Hazards Mutual Aid Response Team. Additionally, Foulks was noted to be instrumental in involving and engaging the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department in bringing state and national conferences and training opportunities to Middle Tennessee.
“His willingness and ability to step up and lead is exemplified by his election to Second Vice President of the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association as well as his appointment as the Tennessee State Director to the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs,” said Selberg.
Also recognized at the event, was MFRD’s PIO
Ashley McDonald. McDonald was presented with the “President’s Award.” This
prestigious award, presented by Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs
President Kingman Schuldt, is normally reserved for fire officers who have made
remarkable contributions to the Association and the fire service as a
whole. During his presentation, President Schuldt noted that McDonald was
a driving force in ensuring a successful annual conference through her expert
ability to plan, manage, and collaborate with members of all ranks throughout
both Associations. “While operating primarily behind-the-scenes, Ashley
worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail was addressed and every need was
met. Her efforts contributed to the tremendous success of this week’s activities,”
said Schuldt.
The Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs (SEAFC) is a
Division of the International Fire Chiefs Association comprising 12 states and
territories in the Southeast region of the United States.