LISA MARCHESONI, Senior Writer
Posted: Sunday, December 21, 2008 7:38 am

Murfreesboro Fire Chief Cumbey Gaines

After suffering serious injuries in a blaze, rookie Murfreesboro firefighter Cumbey Gaines quit.

Gaines, Capt. Donald Blanton and firefighter Mike Black were hospitalized after a brick wall collapsed on them when the old R&R Furniture building ignited 27 years ago. Gaines suffered a severe cut that opened his scalp and caused permanent nerve damage to his eyes.

“It injured my spirit, my will to do that job,” Gaines said quietly.

But now-deceased City Council member Robert “Tee-niny” Scales, the first black council member who recommended him for the job originally, intervened.

“He always called me ‘Little Gaines,’” Gaines recalled, quoting Scales, “‘Little Gaines,’ you’re tougher than that. Your family’s tougher than that.”

Gaines returned to the fire department, always remembering Scales’ comments as he moved up the ranks to become Murfreesboro’s first black fire chief this month.

“I have to know he’s looking down and smiling, ‘Little Gaines, you’re tougher than that,’” Gaines said with a slight smile.

In retrospect, Gaines believes he had the opportunity to put his life on the line to help others but became selfish after the fire.

“It was like self-preservation rather than helping the masses,” Gaines said.

The chief’s vision

Gaines, 51, becomes fire chief after Chief David Baxter retired. Under Baxter’s leadership, the department reached a Class 2 rating, which translates to lower insurance premiums for commercial buildings.

Baxter implemented several successful programs Gaines plans to carry further.

“My goal is to keep the status quo,” Gaines said, by maintaining a high level of quality of services.

But that doesn’t mean he’ll simply rest on Baxter’s laurels.

“We’re setting goals and doing an analysis of the fire department,” the new chief said, explaining he will examine strengths and weaknesses of the department with more than 200 employees. Fifteen more employees will be added when the 10th station goes online in February.

He describes himself as a long-range thinker, envisioning the department eight years from now.

But because of the downturn in the economy, Gaines believes it’s inappropriate to discuss programs he’d like to add. Before adding services, the chief wants to know:

• Is it necessary?

• Is it feasible?

• Do you have a plan of implementation?

• Is there a means of procurement?

• Will it be supported?

“Without the variables, it’s not a vision, it’s just a dream,” Gaines noted.

On a personal level, he listed as an asset his experience moving up through the ranks so he knows the strengths and weaknesses of the department.

“I pulled some of the best pranks,” Gaines said as a mischievous grin spread across his face.

On a more serious note, he became well versed in the National Fire Protection Administration guidelines and departmental policies and standards.

Lack of networking with people was named as a weakness but the chief promised to improve.

The chief will work with his command staff to set goals and follow the city’s motto of “Creating a Better Quality of Life.”

“Are we living up to that mission statement?” Gaines asked. “That’s what I want to track.”

For example, firefighters answered some 3,000 calls for service this year. Gaines wants to track the response time and the level of service to make sure the department gives taxpayers what they pay for.

He envisions examining the whole department while new Deputy Chief Roger Toombs supervises the day-to-day operations.

Building blocks

Gaines knows challenges first-hand. He’s the son of a Murfreesboro “garbage man” who died when Gaines was 11, leaving his mother, Irene Puckett, with eight children ranging in age from 3-17.

“She instilled in us education,” Gaines recalled. “If she didn’t reinforce good behavior and positive things in my life, where would I be? She kept us together as a family.”

Gaines graduated from Oakland High School and spent three years at MTSU. He worked construction before joining the fire department.

He became the first black inspector, commander and deputy chief.

“I’ve been fortunate in my career,” Gaines mused. “To me, it’s never been about color. It’s about people. Labels work best on parcels, not people.”

Yet he’s proud that a vision of a black fire chief for many people was met in Murfreesboro.

“I got the job because of the body of my work,” Gaines said. “I get the job done. I treat people fairly and justly.”

For example, he disciplines employees within the policies while having empathy and compassion for other people. He asks, “Is this a salvageable situation?”

Gaines stays grounded with help from his staff, his mother, his wife, Cynthia, and adult daughters Kimberly and Lauren.

He hopes to maintain the continued support from Mayor Tommy Bragg, the City Council, City Manager Roger Haley and Assistant City Manager Rob Lyons. He pledged to lead by teamwork among the command staff and firefighters.

“As I stand here today as chief of the Murfreesboro Fire Department, I don’t stand here solely on my own merit,” Gaines said. “I stand on the shoulders of the people who helped me. I’m grateful.”

Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.