Harold E. Adkins
Chief Harold E. Adkins began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1961, and was promoted through the ranks. He achieved the rank of Fire Chief status in 1965.
During his tenure as Chief, the department has grown from 25 members, one station and 3 pieces of equipment to 35 volunteers and 8 career staff, two stations, 6 pieces of equipment, a service truck and 4 command cars.
Chief Adkins' progressive thinking has produced increased firefighter safety through advanced strategy and tactical training, improved protective clothing, personal alarms, and a Haz-Mat / Rescue truck. Responsible for a district which includes a six story housing unit for the elderly, the Chief sought a quicker, safer evacuation system. Camp Taylor Fire District is the only agency in the Commonwealth to have purchased an Evac Chute with private donations. The chute cuts evacuation times by a factor of ten.
As the District's commercial development continues to grow, with the increasing use of complex chemicals and compounds, Chief Adkins and his firefighters will be ready. They are well trained, protected, and use state-of-the-art technologies to protect and serve the residents and businesses in the Camp Taylor Fire Protection District.
Chief Adkins has been active in many fire organizations during his volunteer career. He has served on the Committee of Fire Training of the Jefferson County Firefighters Association. Within his own department, he formed a Fire Inspection Program involving the volunteer firefighters' spouses and friends. In 1969, while attending his first International Fire Chief's Convention in Chicago, he became the youngest Chief to join the Association. In 1975, he was elected the first chairman of the Fire Chiefs of Jefferson County, now known as the Jefferson County Fire Chief's Association.
Some of the significant events of his career are a fire at the Shadowlawn Apartments, located at Gilmore Lane and Preston Highway (his first "parking lot" in firefighting terms); the April 15, 1969 fire at Vista Furniture Manufacturing, which was the christening fire for the new Quint 5058; and the community felt fire at the Louisville Downs (now Trackside) on March 8, 1976, which involved five neighboring departments.
Firefighter safety is the top priority of Chief Adkins. His concern for firefighter safety is evident not only at the fire scene but in everyday operations at the fire stations. This concern is reflected in Camp Taylor's ISO rating. This insurance rating affects insurance premiums of residents and business owners within the District. The lower is the rating number, the better. In 1965 the ISO rating was 7. After some improvements, the rating was reduced to 6 in 1976. The District was resurveyed in 1981 and the rating dropped again, to class 4. After major changes in personnel, equipment and other conditions, the Camp Taylor Fire District received an oustanding ISO rating of Class 3 in 1992.
What attracts volunteer firefighters in these times? Chief Adkins says, with his enduring smile, that it is the feeling of providing community service and knowing that you can make a difference in saving a life or property of someone in need. He says the support and camaraderie of other firefighters is a major factor.
Born in Harlan County on February 7, 1940, Adkins has been in Jefferson County since he was twelve. He is married to Pat; 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchild. His two sons are with the Camp Taylor Fire Department, one as Deputy Chief, the other as Captain. His oldest daughter is a Metro Police Officer, one works for Louisville Metro EMS and his youngest is a Probation and Parole Officer with Kentucky State Department of Corrections. Service seems to run in the family.
Chief Adkins ended this interview with his motto, "I pride myself on treating all of my members equally. I always have, and always will have, an open door policy." "Ask anyone, I think they'll agree."