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Benton Fire Chief Retiring; Blankenship Says He Can No Longer Protect City Or His Firefighters |
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 |
Benton Fire Chief Ben Blankenship says he’s calling it quits.
Blankenship has submitted his resignation to Benton Mayor Rick Holland, with Dec. 31 set as his effective departure date.
On Wednesday, Blankenship, 60, said he isn’t just resigning from the Benton chief’s position — he’s retiring, ending a 38-year career in firefighting.
Asked why he made the decision at this time, Blankenship said: “I can no longer protect the firefighters and citizens of Benton adequately.”
That’s as close as Blankenship would come to commenting on whether the failure of a half-cent public safety tax a week ago influenced his decision to leave the profession he loves.
“I have no comment about the tax,” he said.
“It’s been an honor to serve the citizens of Benton for over five years. But at this time I must retire,” he said.
Blankenship also quoted Ecclesiastes 3: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven ... “
“And so I’m ending my season as a firefighter,” he said.
“I prayed about this, and Sheila (Blankenship’s wife) and I have talked,” he said. “I have absolutely loved being fire chief for the city of Benton, but at this time I can no longer do it; and my reason is I cannot take care of the firefighters and citizens as I need to, and I take that very seriously.”
The chief called this “a sad time, but also a happy time.”
“I’ve been a firefighter for over 38 years and it’s time to look at other opportunities,” he said.
Blankenship grew up in Benton and said he’s not leaving the city.
“I’m not planning to move — I’m home. When I came home to be chief, I made a decision not to leave again. This is where I plan to stay, and I’m at peace with my decision.
“I’ve had a wonderful career,” he added. “I feel I’m leaving the fire department better than I found it and also the city better than I found it.
“I believe things are better than when I came. We’ve built new fire stations, we’ve lowered our ISO rating and I’m leaving with my head held high.”
Blankenship said he anticipates the mayor appointing an interim chief when he leaves but said he doesn’t know who that might be.
He pointed out that a Civil Service Commission test for the assistant chief’s position is scheduled Dec. 17.
Mark Mills, who currently serves as assistant chief, is doing so under a temporary appointment, he said. After the test is administered, the position will be filled on a permanent basis, he said.
Blankenship began serving as fire chief here on May 1, 2004. This was the second time for him to serve with the Benton department, where he began his career Sept. 17, 1971.
The Blankenships have two sons, Robert “Red” Edward Blankenship of North Little Rock and Beau Blankenship of Benton; and one grandson, Walden Blankenship, with whom Blankenship hopes to now spend more time.
“I love Benton — I chose to be here,” he said. “I came back to care for my mother, and she passed away earlier this year. I’m open to looking at other opportunities now.
“I lecture and I write ... I may do a series of graduate-level textbooks. There are several things that I can look at.”
Holland said the city is “very thankful that we were able to have Ben for five and a half years. He’s very knowledgeable and one of the best fire chiefs in Arkansas.”
Holland noted that several serious incidents occurred here that required his expertise. “We were very fortunate to have someone like him, who knows what to do in case of hazardous spills.
“He came here from El Dorado and had extensive knowledge in the field of chemicals. When we had an incident on Highway 67 where chemical trucks caught on fire, he was called in to take charge of that situation because of his knowledge.
“I also remember another incident at JJ’s Truck Stop where Ben was called to come in and help since it was a hazardous spill. His knowledge not only helped Benton citizens, but helped all the citizens of Saline County.
“He’s brought the department up by leaps and bounds, and we’ll truly will miss him, but we wish him good luck in his well-deserved retirement.”
Holland said he plans to consult with Blankenship during the process of choosing his successor.
After beginning his firefighting career here, Blankenship affiliated with the North Little Rock Fire Department, where he commanded both the training and hazardous materials divisions before retiring in 1993 to take the fire chief’s position in El Dorado. In 1998 he accepted the position of emergency systems coordinator with Great Lakes Chemical Corp., where he was responsible for overseeing emergency response and protection operations for the company’s 34 chemical facilities located throughout the world.
Blankenship holds a degree in fire technology and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He has edited and contributed to fire, emergency medical and hazardous materials textbooks and journal articles. His lecture experience has included state, regional, national and international organizations, and he has served both the private and public sectors as a consultant in emergency response issues.
He has served as a member of the State Emergency Response Commission’s Certification Board and as the Training Committee chair for the Arkansas Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response Organization.
Community involvement for Blankenship has included Civitan Services, United Way, Red Cross and other organizations.
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