Bagwell appointed to state EMSB
Gov. Bill Lee recently appointed Capt. Jeff Bagwell, a paramedic/public information officer for Rural Metro Fire, to a two-year term on Tennessee State Emergency Medical Service Board.
As a board member, Bagwell will represent his fellow firefighters, particularly those in East Tennessee.
“I’m happy to see Jeff appointed to the state EMS Board. Jeff’s knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the board and fire departments across the state,” Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said.
The state legislature modified the make-up of the board to ensure all components of the state’s EMS system, ambulance services, helicopter services, fire departments and other first responders are well-represented, according to a press release.
Bagwell began his 39-year career as a volunteer firefighter and eventually a paramedic in Anderson County, then went to work as a paid municipal firefighter and reserve firefighter with Rural Metro Fire in Knox County. He then worked seven years as a firefighter/paramedic at the Y-12 Fire Department Plant in Oak Ridge before returning to Rural Metro Fire full time.
“Most responses by fire departments are for medical emergencies,” Rural Metro Fire Chief Jerry Harnish said. “And the safest communities are those where fire, rescue and ambulance services operate seamlessly to provide for the public.
“Jeff is one of those rare individuals with practical experience across the spectrum of care and who has the diplomatic skills to work with others on common challenge,” the Rural Metro chief added. “We’re proud of him, and our community is lucky to have him.”
Rural Metro Fire provides fire and other emergency services to almost a quarter million residents in Knox County and Town of Farragut. Its firefighter/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics answer about 18,000 calls for service each year.
Rural Metro Fire began operation is Knox County in 1977 and is a component of GMR, the nation’s largest emergency services provider.
