Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department Assistant Chief-Medical Services Kim Lawson retires after a combined four decades of fire-medical services, spending the past five years with MFRD.
"I've enjoyed my time here in Murfreesboro, I have loved it because it's so personal," Lawson said. "I now want to spend time with my grandsons and my family."
Lawson was the first Chief ever hired from outside the department after the City Council approved the addition to MFRD. She was tasked with boosting medical response and bring a higher level of care through licensing, credentialing, and training of the department personnel to the people of Murfreesboro.
Under Lawson's leadership, the MFRD partnered with Motlow State Community College to have an in-house accelerated training program for its personnel which comprised of more basic level personnel than advanced. More than 125 MRFD personnel in ten classes have received training and are licensed in Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.
Lawson was honored at a retirement ceremony at MFRD Headquarters Wednesday, Oct. 30 and was presented with a shadow box with memorabilia from her 40-year career.
"It has been a pleasure working alongside Assistant Chief Lawson, the department is better because of her," MFRD Chief Mark Foulks said. "Now that she is retired, she can leave her past behind and embrace the future."
November 1, her official retirement date, will mark a 40-year career for Assistant Chief Lawson.
She retired from Nashville Fire Department (NFD) after a 35-year-long career. She began working at NFD Nov. 1, 1979 as an EMT and she rose through the ranks to become a Paramedic District Chief and Assistant Chief of EMS, managing the emergency response of a staff of ambulances, EMTs and Paramedics throughout Metro Nashville-Davidson County.
She also served in the EMS Bureau for 22 years and as Public Information Officer (PIO), managing the Community Services Bureau which included public information, public fire education and community risk reduction.
In 2003, she was promoted to Deputy Chief, the first female to ever hold the rank within Nashville Fire Department.
MFRD Medical Training Coordinator Jeff Wright will replace Lawson as Assistant Chief-Medical Services.