He’s a professional who wore many hats, a man with a skillset acquired in almost 28 years with the Knoxville Fire Dept. (KFD), a man the local news media and community will miss as KFD’s Public Information Officer (PIO). Two days ago, Asst. Fire Chief Mark Wilbanks retired.
What’s next for Wilbanks? His quick answer: “I’m riding off into the sunset.” That was quickly followed by this: “Not really. I start my new job the next day.”
Yesterday, Wilbanks, 55, really did begin his new job at the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC). He is now the Events Medicine Program Manager, providing dedicated on-site medical coverage, including first-aid stations and medical roamers, for large gatherings such as UT football and basketball games, concerts, and basically any major event in Knoxville.
He is the program’s Logistics and Communications coordinator, managing on-site clinics, mobile medical units, and the medical personnel patrolling locations for crowd safety. He’ll manage all medicines and medical supply needs…