Mark A. Foulks has been named the new chief of the Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department. Foulks will assume the new role August 24.

Foulks comes to Murfreesboro from Greeneville, Tennessee where he has served as the fire chief of the Greeneville Fire Department for the past nine years. Prior to his appointment as fire chief in Greeneville, Foulks was the assistant chief for the Knoxville Fire Department from 1990 to 2006. He began his career as a firefighter in Knoxville in 1990.

"Chief Foulks is a proven leader in Tennessee firefighting and emergency services. I believe his focus on firefighter safety, communication and training will help take our department to the next level," said City Manager Rob Lyons. "I especially was impressed with his interest in building community relationships and partnerships," Lyons added, noting his participation in civic groups and his role in leadership positions in fire and rescue professional associations.

Current Chief Cumbey Gains announced his retirement in April, effective August 12, 2015. The City conducted a national search to replace Chief Gaines. Eighty applicants were narrowed to four finalists with assistance from the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). There were four finalists that participated in an Assessment Center process before a panel of three assessors. It included an interview, in-box exercises and presentation. Foulks ranked first in all nine rating categories.

Two finalists were selected for the final round, which included interviews with a community panel, City staff panel and City Manager's office. Foulks ranked first in each interview.

Foulks has broad knowledge and experience in both the administrative and operational activities of fire and rescue management, including fire protection and emergency service delivery procedures, equipment, multi-agency hazardous materials response, incident command, mutual aid, code enforcement and arson investigation.

Since 2011, Foulks has also served as a fire and emergency services consultant for the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service headquartered in Nashville.

During his 16-year tenure as Assistant Chief for the City of Knoxville, Foulks managed the Special Operations Division with direct responsibility over Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials, Resuce, and Communications. He also served as District Chief over a Fire Suppression District. Foulks serves on the Tennessee Emergency Medical Service Educators Association Board. He has maintained his paramedic license since 1995.

Foulks' experience in Emergency Medical Services for a large metropolitan city will be beneficial as Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue recently transitioned to higher level of emergency medical care from First Responder to Basic Life Support (BLS). A new Assistant Chief of
Medical Services, a 34-year veteran of the Nashville Fire Department, was hired in 2014 to help facilitate Murfreesboro's transition to higher emergency medical care.

Foulks has participated and managed activities to include special events, mass gatherings and dignitary visits as well as Incident Command for large-scale events as such University of Tennessee football and basketball, Boomsday, Knoxville Marathon, and Saturday Night on the Town.

Foulks also has a wealth of knowledge in budgeting, grant proposal writing, and certifications or licensures in Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials, and Rescue. In addition, his experience has focused on coordinating media management, representing fire departments at public events, public speaking, and serving as a liaison and subject expert in emergency management to the FBI Joint Task Force.

Appointed by the governor to the Tennessee Homeland Security Council, Foulks is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association where he has served as East Region Director. His active community involvement and professional associations include serving as president of the United Way of Greene County Board of Directors, the Keep Greene Beautiful Board of Directors, and chairman of the Northeast Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association.

A Tennessee native, Foulks earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University in Alabama in 2009 and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services from Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tennessee. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy and a designated Chief Fire Officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing.

Foulks and his wife Pam have three children ages 21, 18 and 16.