We have a custom down here in Texas. You never say goodbye .
. . you just say, "Until we meet again". Roy Rogers
always said that in his signature song, and now it is time for
me to say that as I ride off into the sunset to my next great
adventure!
If you have read my articles throughout my seven plus years here
at FETN, I hope you have picked up on the passion and excitement
I have for what we do. I came to FETN to make a difference, and
I think I have. We used to be either satellite or VHS tape, with
the lesson plans in hard copy, mailed out monthly, and a printed
monthly magazine/program guide was necessary to keep up with what
was going on. Now, you can receive it via either of those, plus
delivered through the internet, on a CD-ROM or DVD, and even into
your iPOD! Now, instead of me sitting at my desk, scratching my
head as to what lesson I could prepare to save the world, we have
a User's Group, and an entire team of instructional design people
on staff. Times have changed, but my passion has not.
I told the support staff here (the ones that have never been
in the fire service) that anyone reading this news will not be
surprised. Years ago, when they tried to retire a fire horse,
they were always in for trouble if a team went by responding .
. . the fire horse would revert to that response duty, and literally
stampede! It never was a pretty picture, especially if some farmer
who had bought a bargain workhorse still had his plow attached!
All this is to say, I'm returning to the front line of fire,
EMS, and emergency management provision. I have accepted the position
as Fire Chief of Wylie (TX) Fire-Rescue, and I'm so excited that
I can hardly sleep. The last time I was this fired up was right
after our last User's Group meeting here at FETN Headquarters,
when I had heard so many new ideas and challenges I finally got
up at 0130 hours and went to work at my computer! My excitement
about my new department is even greater because Wylie is already
a class 1 fire department! I'll be able to join with those hard-working
professionals already there, and there's no telling what we'll
accomplish!
FETN is going to be in good hands as I go out the door. Capt.
Jeff Tokar will be the Director of Education, as he has been,
and will now be the official TWL Knowledge Group (our parent company)
"Fire Guy". You've been seeing him in fire and EMS training
on FETN for years. The support staff, advisors, subject-matter
experts, and training consultants won't be changing . . . only
me. I predict you won't see a difference. That has been my goal,
anyway, and will tell you how effective I've been here in leading
this group. No leader worth his salt lets his organization get
to where it reels from his departure. I guess now we will see!
I have been truly blessed to lead FETN for these years. This
new challenge in Wylie will be the next chapter in my "Blessed
Man" saga that chronicles the life and times of Randy Corbin.
God, country, safety, dedication to each other, dedication to
the public, choosing the high road, doing the right thing even
when it is not easy and/or popular . . . these are the main things
that I've tried to relay to you. You are my friends for life because
of our interaction. Don't be a stranger!
It is really simple: the main thing is to keep the main thing
the main thing.
