He’s a professional who wore many hats, a man with a skillset acquired in almost 28 years with the Knoxville Fire Dept. (KFD), a man the local news media and community will miss as KFD’s Public Information Officer (PIO). Two days ago, Asst. Fire Chief Mark Wilbanks retired.

What’s next for Wilbanks?  His quick answer: “I’m riding off into the sunset.”  That was quickly followed by this: “Not really. I start my new job the next day.”

Yesterday, Wilbanks, 55, really did begin his new job at the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC). He is now the Events Medicine Program Manager, providing dedicated on-site medical coverage, including first-aid stations and medical roamers, for large gatherings such as UT football and basketball games, concerts, and basically any major event in Knoxville.

 

He is the program’s Logistics and Communications coordinator, managing on-site clinics, mobile medical units, and the medical personnel patrolling locations for crowd safety. He’ll manage all medicines and medical supply needs.

The program is led by Chris Ferron, Director of Advanced Practice, Urgent Care, and Event Medicine, and falls under the executive leadership of Heather Tiftickjian, Vice President of Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care, UT LIFESTAR, and Event Medicine.

On Tuesday, the KFD hosted a three-hour retirement party for this department workhorse at Station 11 (known as the Whittle Springs station). He wanted the party at Station 11 because his son, Chris, is following in Dad’s steps as a firefighter there. Wife Renee was also there to celebrate with her husband.

He’s an East Tennessee native, and during his career, he was an emergency medical services tech and division quality control officer, a Master Firefighter, a certified critical care paramedic, and a hazardous materials specialist. Along with his PIO duties, Wilbanks was also the department’s Safety and Health Officer and its Communications Officer.

Prior to KFD, he spent eight years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

In January 2024, we featured Wilbanks as an “Our Town Hero” and shared the story of how he and his family could have lost their home to a fire had it not been for his wife’s excellent sense of smell. If you’re interested in reading that story, here’s the LINK to click for it:

During his fire career, he was present for and helped deliver a few babies — two of them by the same mother. Years later, her son – O’Tavais Harris — was an intern at the KFD.

When asked about the memories from almost 28 years and what he’ll miss, his answer focuses on the same part of the job – the people. In his letters to the department and to all its firefighters and employees, these are excerpts that explain his “people” focus:

  • “I began my career at Station 20 on Blue Shift in December 1999. Like many of you, I spent years floating all over the city. In fact, I worked at nearly every station except 13 and 19. Along the way, I met and learned from people whose names some of our younger members may never have heard — George Sayne, Sammy Shaffer, Chris Dyer, Big D, Rob Payne, Denny Wofenbager, Kenny Burnett, Herman Beeler, Kenny Maiden, and so many others. Those men taught me what it meant to be a firefighter. Their influence shaped me, and I carried those lessons throughout my career.”
  • “I spent countless hours around people like Bob Pointer, Bob “Hop Sing” Hanshaw, Red Mayes, Calvin Baldwin, Jimmy Arnold, Jason Roark, and, of course, David Gray. From David, I learned everything not to do. Somehow, despite that influence, I managed to survive and build a career.”
  • “What I came to realize throughout my career is that this is much more than a job. It is a family. It is a lifestyle. It is birthdays spent at the station, holidays away from home, missed dinners, interrupted sleep, and showing up when others are running in the other direction. It is celebrating each other’s victories, carrying each other through tragedies, and building friendships that last a lifetime.”
  • “The people.  You create so any memories with the people you spend so much time with together.  The bonds of a family of firefighters are bonds you never forget — ever.”
  • “I remember sitting around kitchen tables solving the world’s problems. I remember the laughter in the stations. I remember difficult calls, long nights, practical jokes, friendships, and the countless moments that only firefighters understand.”
  • “It has been the honor of my life to be at KFD. Stay safe. Take care of one another. Wear your seatbelt. Put your gear on. Watch out for the young firefighters. Remember, everyone goes home. Never forget why you started. Most importantly, make sure you enjoy the ride.”

It was a ride Wilbanks truly enjoyed and cherishes.

Tom King has been an editor of newspapers in Texas and California and has also worked in Tennessee and Georgia. If you have someone you think we should consider featuring, please email him at the link with his name or text him at 865-659-3562.

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