Chief Stan Sharp has officially named  Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks as the Knoxville Fire Department’s new Public Information Officer.

Wilbanks is an East Tennessee native and a 23 year veteran with KFD.

“I am excited to take on this new role because I want our community to know what great things we do day in and day out,” Wilbanks said. “I work with 327 wonderful men and women, and the taxpayer deserves to know what we do, and their stories deserve to be told.”

Wilbanks is all too familiar with the stories of KFD having worked as a Health and Safety Officer, an EMS division Quality Control Officer, a Master Firefighter, and he’s a certified critical care paramedic and hazmat specialist.

With all of his vast experiences over the years, he still says his most memorable day on the job was his first, “My very first day Captain Rick Harrell told us this job was not about showing up, signing the timesheet, getting on the supper list, and finding a bed. Boy, was he right! Those words have stuck with me throughout my career. So often, that has motivated me to keep learning and working hard.”

Outside of KFD, Wilbanks was also in the military. He was on active duty with the Marines from 1991-1999. 

Here are a few extra fun facts about Mark:

• He has lived on the same road most of his life

• He credits the television show Emergency for sparking (no pun intended)  his interest in firefighting. 

• He is a huge history buff

• He is an avid snowboarder

• He has been married for 30 years to his wife Renee. They have 3 children.

Please join us in Congratulating Assistant Chief and PIO Mark Wilbanks!