Longtime Rome Fire Chief To Retire Late 2008
By RNW Reporter Hayden Jennings
Long-time Rome Fire Chief Bobbie McKenzie has announced that he will retire later this year.
McKenzie has been with the Rome Fire Dept. for 41 years and has been the Chief for the last 18.
According to the press release from the city of Rome:
The retirement of Rome Fire Chief Bobbie McKenzie was announced at tonight’s Rome City Commission Meeting. Chief McKenzie has served the Rome Fire Department for forty-one years and his retirement will be effective September 1, 2008.
“Chief McKenzie has been a loyal and dedicated employee and has provided professional leadership for the department for the last eighteen years,” stated Rome City Manager John Bennett. “The entire county has seen improved fire protection with the relocation of many stations and the purchase of new and more sophisticated equipment. The Fire Department was one of the first departments in the city to implement the use of computer technology throughout the entire operation and Chief McKenzie played a key role in making that happen. He has been a team player and always willing to help other departments. He is active in the community and I am sure he will continue to be an asset in his retirement. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with him.”
According to Bennett, the process to replace the Chief will begin immediately and should take approximately three months. The city’s policy is to advertise the position both inside and outside of the organization for all department director positions. After September 1, 2008, Deputy Chief Gordon Henderson and Deputy Chief Benny Bohannon will manage the Department until a new Chief is named.
