Rockdale Fire chief resigns

By Alice Queen (1033)
alice.queen@rockdalecitizen.com

Thursday, June 21, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Rockdale Citizen

CONYERS -- For the third time in four years Rockdale County is looking to hire a new fire chief.

Rockdale Fire and Rescue Chief Franklin Wilson II apparently submitted his resignation Wednesday after less than one year on the job. Wilson's resignation letter was not immediately made public pending a press conference scheduled by Rockdale County Commission Chairman Richard Oden.

According to Tonya Parker, director of Community Affairs and Innovative Programs for Rockdale County, Wilson's resignation will be effective July 6. His reason for leaving Rockdale Fire and Rescue will be announced at the press conference, she said.

Parker said that the press conference will be held Monday, June 25, 9 a.m. at Station 7, located at 1496 Rockbridge Road NW. Parker said the press conference was scheduled so that personnel in Rockdale Fire and Rescue who will be appointed to interim positions could be present.

Franklin was hired in July 2011 after a nationwide search. He succeeded former Chief Cedric Scott, who was hired in 2009 and who resigned in 2011 to take the position of assistant fire chief in Savannah. Prior to Scott, Walter Ellison served as chief until his retirement.

Wilson came to Rockdale County from Twin Falls, Idaho, where he was deputy fire chief for the Jerome City Fire Department in Jerome, Idaho.

More like this story

Morgan named interim chief of Fire and Rescue ( June 22, 2012 )
Nominees named for Rockdale fire chief, HR director ( July 20, 2011 )
Morgan named chief of Fire and Rescue ( October 9, 2012 )
County: Two finalists each for positions ( July 11, 2011 )
Rockdale fire chief resigns ( April 1, 2011 )

ClaytonBigsby 12 months ago

I had wondered if that poor fellow knew what he was getting into when he left Idaho to come to this garden spot. I guess he didn't. I wish him well and hope for the best for our firefighters; surely there is a long tenured fireman here who wants/deserves that position.

Spydee 12 months ago

Still laughing at "Clayton Bigsby" !!!

Rob 12 months ago

I can't say I blame him, but I wish he would have waited until November. The fire department has been the red headed stepchild for the current and former BOC. It may take the folks of Rockdale a minute to wake up, but change will come in November. This madness needs to stop!

twoambers 12 months ago

There is no way that Roy Middlebrooks viewed the Fire Department as a red headed step child. No way....

ctownslimm 12 months ago

I know of a couple of Men who would make great chiefs but I wouldnt wish that job on them while working for that idiotic crew at the BOC. It seems that they cant just leave well enough alone and want to try to have their fingers in everything.

Sundance 12 months ago

What is up with this BOC? why cant they keep good employees. It seems like no one wants to work for them for very long. The also can't control outbursts from the water department or keep them out of the paper. Oden is definitely in over his head. I wonder what Oden got accomplished this week? How is the county better off this week because of anything he did? He should be a lower or middle manager at MARTA. That is about what he could handle and he loves rapid transit so much he could just get a job with them.

Frustrated 12 months ago

I dont even wish that on MARTA. They have enough troubles already

BigDave 12 months ago

Seems Mr. Wilson doesn't stay any place very long....

http://magicvalley.com/news/local/northside/article_6dc9f9ec-1bd7-5b0e-8801-8629b38a97e8.html

buck 12 months ago

This is very unfortunate because Chief Wilson knew what needed to be done @ RCFD to turn it around. The living and working conditions are deplorable at best in several of the stations and the equipment they have to use is even worse. Just wait until they complete ISO and all of our home and business insurance goes through the roof. It's coming soon Rockdale!

Frustrated 12 months ago

This is so unfortunate. RCFD has been in turmoil for several years now. Its a shame that anyone in the chief's position cannot get the support from the BOC they need to run a class A department. I know a lot of these men and women and thye deserve better.

conyerac 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Management in Conyers has been a joke for a VERY LONG time...........

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