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Friday, Oct. 03, 2008

Macon native sworn in as assistant fire chief

A 36-year veteran of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department was sworn in as the new assistant fire chief Thursday.

Cliff Rushin said the promotion was a dream come true.

"I am humbled and deeply honored to stand before you today and accept my appointment as assistant fire chief of this great department," he said during a swearing-in ceremony attended by Mayor Robert Reichert, Fire Chief Marvin Riggins and other local officials.

"I also willingly and without reservation accept the responsibilities of this appointment, and I will strive to perform my duties with courage, honor and integrity," he said. "This is really a dream come true for me and my family."

Rushin's wife, Lenny; his son, Lee Whelchel; and his daughter, Abby Freeman, were in attendance at the program held at the department's headquarters on First Street.

A Macon native and graduate of Lanier High School, Rushin, 57, joined the department when he was 21.

"I don't know that there was one particular thing that made me want to be a fireman. They were always my heroes," he said. "As a child, I did live right across the street from Wesleyan (Conservatory) when it burned in 1963. That certainly made an impression on me."

Riggins said he looks forward to having Rushin as his second in command.

"I've worked with Chief Rushin since I joined the department 28 years ago," he said. "He's a team player. He's a spirited guy. He has stick-to-it-ness. He's a calm guy in the the middle of the storm."

The position had been vacant since April when Riggins, the former assistant, was promoted to chief.

Twelve applicants applied for the vacant assistant chief position, nine from within the department. Riggins had selected a short list of candidates by July and picked Rushin this month.

"It really was not an easy decision," he said. "But Chief Rushin is great, great choice."

On a day-to-day basis, Rushin will deal with operations, including aspects of the budget. He will be the first leg when dealing with staff disciplinary issues.

Both Rushin and Riggins said retention of firefighters is a top priority, especially following an investigation earlier this year of department training methods and firefighter skills.

"Macon has a great appetite for experiencing people quickly," Riggins said, citing the area's high rate of fires. "Once these people acquire this experience, they become tremendously marketable to other departments."

Rushin said better technology will help the department grow.

"I feel that the technology of today must be more effectively utilized in our department," he said. "This one area alone would dramatically increase efficiency of operations within our own infrastructure and decrease the cost of duplication and dissemination of information throughout the city."

Rushin said he wants to acquire a visual alert system to help firefighters determine a fire's location. An electronic log of hazardous chemicals and materials located in certain buildings also would be a tremendous addition to the department's resources, he said.

Reichert called Riggins and Rushin a "dynamic duo."

"You've got experience, background knowledge, a long-term working relationship, and dedication to the department and the community," he said. "What more can you ask for?"

To contact writer Ashley Tusan Joyner, call 744-4347.