The calling of a firefighter is admirable; these individuals willingly take on high-risk situations in order to save lives. The job is considered one of the most noble professions; for most, however, it isn’t just a job – it’s about serving others.
Being a firefighter requires a number of skills that the average person might not consider. These first responders must think critically on their feet, and they must be able to assess a situation and make decisions quickly.
You likely know a firefighter, but you might not be aware of the training they undergo in order to best serve the public. In 2009, the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association and the Fire Academy joined together to come up with a set of standards, not only for basic training purposes, but to designate the requirements for a firefighter to be dubbed a Chief Fire Officer.
These standards include at least five years of service experience and the demonstration of meeting certain moral, ethical, and professional expectations. There are three levels of designation (levels 1 – 3, with three being the highest level). The individual under consideration must currently serve as either a Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Training Chief, or District Chief. Once a candidate sends in an application, it is reviewed by the Fire Chief Association and the Mississippi Fire Academy. Those awarded the designation are then presented at the annual summer conference.
Recently, Louisville Fire Department’s Deputy Chief, Jeff Franks, was presented with this honorable designation. Franks is an experienced firefighter, beginning his career in New Orleans. Originally from Noxubee County, Franks returned home after Hurricane Katrina. Franks has served with the Choctaw (tribal) Fire Department and the City of Philadelphia Fire Department. He’s also worked with the Louisville Fire Department twice during his career.
Franks is not only the Deputy Chief at LFD, but he also serves as a Task Force leader for Mississippi. Altogether, Franks has nearly two decades of experience as a firefighter. Hutto also noted that Franks has worked for the Level I designation for quite some time.
Now, he can add Chief Fire Officer, Level I Designation to his list of accomplishments.
LFD Chief Robert Hutto said of Franks’ designation: “Congratulations to Deputy Chief Jeff Franks on obtaining this designation at the recent Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Conference. We are thankful for all his work and dedication, not only to our department, but the MS Emergencies Services as a whole.”
