Franklin Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek has announced the promotions of three longtime Franklin Fire Department leaders to the rank of Deputy Chief. Each will be responsible for commanding one of the department’s three divisions.
Todd Horton has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Administration and Emergency Management. Glenn Johnson has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations, and Andy King has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention and Strategic Initiatives.
“These three very capable individuals bring a new depth of experience and knowledge to our senior leadership team,” said Garzarek. “The new roles and responsibilities more closely reflect the way we operate. They help us to better accomplish our mission of being proactive in preventing emergencies, and lessening the impact of emergencies when they occur.”
The three new deputy fire chiefs will answer directly to Garzarek, comprising the department’s senior leadership team. The promotions will be effective August 15, and they will be officially sworn in at a ceremony this fall.
Formerly a Battalion Chief in the Operations Division, Deputy Chief Horton will oversee facilities, equipment, budgeting, purchasing, grant writing, technology, radio communications, and emergency management.
A Franklin native and Franklin High School graduate with 29 years of fire service experience, Horton joined the Franklin Fire Department in 1989. During his tenure, he has actively been involved in the design and construction of three fire stations, and multiple fire apparatus and equipment purchases.
Horton’s involvement with the last four Insurance Services Office (ISO) surveys has resulted in improved City of Franklin fire protection ratings after each survey, meaning lower insurance premiums for home and business owners.
Following the May 2010 flood and federal disaster declaration, Horton was selected by City Administrator Eric Stuckey to serve as the city’s FEMA liaison. He led the city’s efforts to recuperate much of its losses.
Horton has an A.S. in Fire Science from Volunteer State Community College, is an EMT, and a Level 1 Peer Assessor for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. He is a lifetime member of the Williamson County Rescue Squad, presently serving as president of the board.
Deputy Chief Johnson will oversee the department’s daily emergency response operations, including fire suppression, rescue operations, hazardous materials response, and Emergency Medical Services. He will also oversee training.
Johnson is a Desert Storm veteran who began his firefighting career in 1990 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Originally from Centerville, TN, he was hired by the Franklin Fire Department in 1994 and worked his way through the ranks. Prior to being promoted to captain and subsequently Assistant Chief of Training, he was a lieutenant at Franklin Fire Station 2.
Johnson chairs Tennessee’s Homeland Security District 5 team, comprised of emergency responders from seven Middle Tennessee counties, including Metro Nashville and Davidson County. As a member since 2009, he has helped organize full scale training exercises for the group at LP Field and other locations. He has also assisted the City of Franklin in achieving National Incident Management System compliance.
Johnson was staff officer of the year in 2006 and a recipient of the Hope Award in 2008. He has an A.S. in Fire Science from Volunteer State Community College and multiple state and national firefighting and emergency management certifications. He is also an EMT.
Deputy Chief King, who was raised in Franklin and is a graduate of BGA, continues to serve as Fire Marshal, as well as overseeing departmental strategic initiatives. This includes community master planning based upon risks, hazards, and vulnerabilities. King oversees fire plan reviews, fire inspections, code enforcement, fire cause investigations, public education, and water supply. He is also responsible for municipal zoning ordinances, streets standards and fire and life safety codes. He serves as a technical expert for fire protection systems and building construction.
King has been a member of the fire service for 24 years. After holding the positions of firefighter, engineer, lieutenant, and fire marshal with Brentwood (TN) Fire and Rescue, he was hired in 2004 as the City of Franklin’s Fire Marshal.
King has a B.S. in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University, and a Master of Public Administration from Tennessee State University. King is also an EMT-IV, as well as a student of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Development Program.
King serves as the education coordinator and Vice President of the Tennessee Fire Safety Inspectors Association. He also serves nationally as Vice Chair of the Fire and Life Safety Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and Vice Chair of the International Code Council Fire Code Action Committee.
