EDINBURGH — When Edinburgh’s new fire chief steps into the role today, he should have no trouble adjusting.
John Henderson, a native of the town, has been active with the Edinburgh Fire Department for the entirety of his career, which started Jan. 5, 1993. During the last 20 years of that time, Henderson has also worked at the Franklin Fire Department, and was Franklin’s fire chief for three years before he resigned the post in 2015 to spend more time with his family.
Now, Henderson is both a deputy fire chief in Edinburgh and a merit lieutenant in Franklin.
Returning to his hometown full time played a major role in his decision to apply for the fire chief position, Henderson said.
“I’ve been active with the department for (28) years. Jan. 5, 1993 was the start of my career. I started volunteering there and fell in love with the job,” Henderson said. “(Edinburgh has) always been a volunteer position for me. I always try and help out in my hometown while I pursue my career as a firefighter. It’s that simple.”
Now, he’ll get paid for his work. He will make $65,000 a year, said Dustin Huddleston, Edinburgh’s town attorney.
The Edinburgh Town Council chose Henderson from a pool of more than 50 applicants. As fire chief, he will manage 48 firefighters and oversee the town’s two fire stations, with a possible third in the future. He will also lead the transition from emergency medical technicians using basic life support to advanced life support, which will allow them to administer EKGs and IVs, said Cody Melton, a lieutenant for the Edinburgh Fire Department.
“I think it was a good decision for him to be hired. He’s a great guy, he’s fair and he’s been with the fire service over 25 years, so he has a great deal of experience. He has chief experience,” Melton said.
Henderson’s experience made him the best fit for the job, said Dan Cartwright, Edinburgh’s town manager.
“We felt Mr. Henderson was the most qualified, most trained candidate, and also, he is a local resident of Edinburgh. With the schooling and education he had in fire safety and firefighting, he blew everyone else away,” Cartwright said.
“My hopes are — which I know will be accomplished — Mr. Henderson will be able to step right in and take that position over on a full-time basis and be successful at it. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
