By BILL JONES

Staff Writer

Greeneville Fire Chief Mark Foulks was among 25 Tennessee law enforcement officers and emergency first responders who were honored in Nashville on Thursday morning by the Tennessee Department of Safety's Office of Homeland Security.

A news release issued by the Office of Homeland Security said theagency "honored the commitment and sacrifice" of 25 Tennessee law enforcement officers and first responders, as well as members of three organizations, at a unique recognition ceremony held at the Old Supreme Court Chambers in the State Capitol.  

"Chief Mark Foulks is no stranger to handling emergencies and crisis," information included with the news release said.

"After many years of service with the Knoxville Fire Department, wherehe held the position of Assistant Fire Chief, Foulks took over as Chief of the Greeneville Fire Department. During his tenure there, Chief Foulks has been busy serving the residents of his community and responding to some dangerous situations.

"Recently, Chief Foulks was called to Interstate 26 in reference to a crash involving explosives. He was assigned as the Incident Commander for that situation.

"On another occasion, Chief Foulks responded to Elizabethton, to collect samples of an unknown hazardous material.

"Chief Foulks was honored this year with the 'Outstanding Leadership Award' for his contributions in the Leadership Greene County program. 

"Chief Foulks is being commended for his brave service to, expertise,and participation in Tennessee's Homeland Security District 1."

Other Honorees

The Office of Homeland Security news release listed the others honored during the Thursday ceremony as:

• Brian Rice, Lieutenant, Johnson City Police Department, Homeland Security District 1;

• Ed Cate, Executive Director, Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad, Homeland Security District 2;

• Captain Chris Wisecarver, Morristown Police Department, Homeland Security District 2;

• Sergeant Mark King, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security District 3;

• Bill Tittle, Chief of Emergency Management, Hamilton County, Homeland Security District 3;

• Roy Gore, EMT, Overton County Ambulance Service, Homeland Security District 4;

• Brandon Smith, Putnam County Emergency Medical Services, Homeland Security District 4;

• Todd Boyce, CERT Instructor, Homeland Security District 5;

• Ron Ream, CERT Instructor, Homeland Security District 5;

• Rod Ballard, Assistant Chief, Manchester Fire & Rescue, Homeland Security District 6;

• Michael Clements, Bedford County EMS, Homeland Security District 6;

• Steve Jones, Montgomery County EMA, Homeland Security District 7;

• Chief Deputy Edgar F. Patterson, Montgomery Co. Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security District 7;

• Roy Griggs, Director, Giles County Ambulance Service, Homeland Security District 8;

• Barry Whitt, Director, Giles County Office of Emergency Management, Homeland Security District 8;

• Deputy Gary Eddings, Weakley County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security District 9;

• Jerrel Reasons (Posthumously), Director, Crockett County Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Security District 9

• Lieutenant Edmund C. Cepparulo (Ret), Jackson Police Department, Homeland Security District 10;

• Michael H. Stanford, Henderson Co. EMA/Assistant Fire Chief, Homeland Security District 10;

• Lieutenant James McCaskey, Bartlett Fire Department, Homeland Security District 11;

• Sergeant Kenneth Shackleford, Memphis Police Department, Homeland Security District 11;

• Trooper Greg Roberts, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Knoxville, District 1

• Trooper William Todd Gregory, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville, District 3; and

• Sergeant Larry Lewis, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security. Liaison.

'Worthy Of Recognition'

"Tennessee's law enforcement officers and first responders have selflessly and without hesitation put the lives of hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans before their own," said Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell.

"On this seventh anniversary of 9/11, I am honored to recognize the courageous spirit and heroic efforts of all of Tennessee's firstresponders. The daily sacrifices they make to keep the citizens of Tennessee safe are worthy of recognition."

Law enforcement officers and first responders actively promote emergency preparedness within their communities on a daily basis, the press release said.

"Whether by responding directly to an emergency, creating policy andprocedures or training staff and volunteers, Tennessee's state and local police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and emergency management officials work daily to ensure the safety and security of the state," the press release said.  

The 25 first responders honored at the First Responder Award ceremony were selected by officials within the state's Homeland Security Districts and by the leadership of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, according to the press release.

Also honored during the ceremony were members of three very important organizations for their collective efforts to contribute to the safety of the state.

THP Strike Teams

The eight Tennessee Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Strike Teams were recognized, along with members of the Tennessee National Guard and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency's three regions.

"Tennesseans all across the state have benefited from the brave and skillful actions of these law enforcement officers and first responders," added Mitchell.

"Some folks may not notice the contributions they make on a daily basis, but their commitment to the safety of our state is a top priority."

The ceremony is one of the Office of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Month activities.
National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort encouraging Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies. Critical to the preparedness process are the men and women who serve our state and citizens as first responders. 

For more information and stories, see today's edition of The Greeneville Sun.