TMP Photo by Kelly Hite. Murfreesboro Fire Chief David Baxter retires after 20 years.
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Like many boys, Murfreesboro native David Baxter dreamed of firefighting as a career.
He even rolled his fire engine pedal vehicle backwards off the front porch of his Mitchell-Neilson area home, landing on the ground with the vehicle atop him.
Baxter achieved his dream when he joined Murfreesboro Fire Department in 1977, working his way to the top of the ladder when he became the department’s youngest chief in 1988 at age 33, the youngest chief in Tennessee at the time.
Baxter’s hanging up his helmet at the end of November after serving 20 years as Murfreesboro’s fire chief. He reflected on his tenure while sorting through 20 years of paperwork.
“I was always adventurous, outdoorsy and a risk-taker,” Baxter said of his decision to become a firefighter. “That’s what drew me into it, the excitement of the job.”
During his interview, then-Chief Bobby Swann asked why he wanted to be a firefighter.
“I can’t think of a greater profession than being able to serve my fellow man,” Baxter replied.
He landed the job and earned his first promotion as a driver five years later. He worked as a fire instructor, training officer and inspector before becoming chief where he brought fresh ideas.
Baxter credits the firefighters and telecommunicators of the Murfreesboro Fire Department with reaching three major pinnacles:
• Earning an Insurance Services Office rating of Class 2 Sept. 1, 2007, one of only four departments in Tennessee. The low rating translates into lower fire insurance premiums for commercial and industrial properties. The rating is based on the long-term system of firefighter training, equipment and fire stations, water supply and communications.
• Receiving the Tennessee Municipal League’s Achievement Award for Excellence in Fire Safety in 2005.
• Earning the highest Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy’s Platinum Level Award for commitment and dedication to firefighter training and safety in 2006. Murfreesboro firefighters trained 5,125 hours at the academy in Bedford County.
Receiving the Class 2 ISO rating was “probably our biggest accomplishment,” Baxter said. “We are fortunate to have the staff who knew their jobs and did their jobs well. We have been leaders in the fire service in Tennessee.”
On-the-job training
As a young, agile firefighter, Baxter worked as the “gopher” searching for people in fires. Firefighters didn’t have the safety equipment such as air packs then.
During one fire, Capt. James Rucker and Baxter climbed up to the attic of a three-story house on College Street. When Rucker opened the attic door, fire blew them back and forced them backwards down the stairs. They wore a coat and helmet, but no air packs.
In another instance, Baxter was fighting a fire at Fisher’s Store on the downtown square when a firefighter opened the hose and knocked Baxter’s helmet off in the flame-filled building.
Shortly after becoming chief, Baxter mandated air packs and full turnout gear for firefighters to ensure safety. Former Mayor Joe B. Jackson led the drive for training.
Experiencing a firefighter killed in the line of duty has to be a chief’s worst nightmare, he said.
While he knocked on his wooden desk, Baxter said, “No firefighter was killed in the line of duty” during his tenure. The department’s commitment to training and safety prevented firefighters’ deaths.
Worst fires
While every fire is bad, Baxter said it’s devastating when someone loses a life in a fire. He remembered tragic fires where two children lost their lives and another where a high school classmate’s son died in a house fire.
Like so many Americans, Baxter mourned the loss of New York City firefighters killed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
“Those firefighters did exactly what they were trained to do,” Baxter noted.
Instead of being reactive, Baxter took a proactive approach to preventing fire deaths and property losses through planning fire safety in new buildings, inspecting existing commercial and industrial buildings, training firefighters extensively and equipping them with safety gear and educating children and adults.
Baxter added the shift inspector program where the shift supervisor inspects commercial and industrial buildings almost every day to ensure fire safety.
Assistant fire marshals review plans of new construction with Building and Codes for fire safety and observe on site the installation of fire detection and suppression systems.
Regarding equipment, Murfreesboro was the first fire department in Tennessee to buy infrared helmets used to locate people in fires.
The fire prevention program uses “Freddie the Fire Truck,” a fully animated robot engine that moves, speaks, winks, blinks and sounds a siren. Kids also learn from the annual fire prevention programs through plays. Demonstrations teach children how to safely exit a smoke-filled two-story house and how to climb a ladder from a two-story home.
More firsts
Under Baxter’s leadership, the fire department trained firefighters in the medical first-responder program. Firefighters provide basic emergency care for medical patients until paramedics arrive.
“This is the best program for helping people,” Baxter said.
Ironically, City Manger Roger Haley was the first heart attack victim helped by firefighters in July 2003 just days after the first-responder program began.
Firefighters work hand in hand with paramedics in saving lives. More than 60 firefighters have become advanced certified emergency medical technicians.
Of the 8,035 calls in 2007, firefighters answered 5,615 medical calls.
Other programs added under Baxter’s term include:
• Adding a vehicle extrication program where firefighters free trapped crash victims from the wreckage. Firefighters answered 34 vehicle extrication calls in 2007.
• Promoting women firefighters Lori Abdo, Kaye Jernigan and Lisa Nance to driver and Jernigan to captain.
• Coordinating the Project SAFE (Smoke Alarms for Everyone). Firefighters checked with every home in Murfreesboro to ensure residents had working smoke detectors.
• Instituting a Citizens Fire Academy in 2001 and a Youth Fire Academy in 2005 to teach citizens about a firefighters’ duties. Eighty-two adults graduated since the program began.
• Installing cameras and laptop computers in every engine.
• Requiring agility tests for firefighters.
• Implementing an Honor Guard.
Today’s firefighter
When citizens call 911 for an emergency, they expect a response.
“They don’t understand this is a $14 million business we’re running,” Baxter said, explaining people also don’t understand all the knowledge firefighters must have to suppress fires, handle hazardous materials situations, free people from wrecked vehicles, inspect buildings and provide emergency medical care.
Many firefighters take advanced classes outside of work to improve their skills.
Murfreesboro firefighters serve as members of every state board regarding firefighting with many serving as presidents of fire-related associations.
When considering retirement, Baxter pondered the right time to leave.
Deputy Chief Jimmy Francis, who retired in August 2007, agreed with his decision.
“I can tell you you’re making the right choice,” Francis said.
Baxter thanked the employees and the mayors and city council for his chance of “creating a better quality of life” in Murfreesboro.
The chief leaves the department in the hands of new Fire Chief Cumbey Gaines and dedicated professionals. Gaines’ challenges will be handling the budget and training.
He plans to spend more time with wife, Murfreesboro City Schools teacher Cheryl, children Adam and Wendy, and grandchildren, Audrey, 10, and Lily, 5, before considering a new profession.
Baxter plans to donate his fire truck collection to the Discovery Center so other children and adults can enjoy the toys.
Does he have any regrets?
“Of course not,” Baxter replies immediately. “It’s been a great opportunity for me. The good Lord’s blessed me.”
And he still maintains his sense of adventure.
“I can still climb a 110-foot ladder on the aerial truck,” Baxter said with a touch of pride.
Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.
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