By Jacob Mcguire
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN, Okla. — Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey, after 36 years of providing safety and assurance to the Norman community, retired Thursday.
Bailey said the people he’s worked with and the memories he’s made while at the Norman Fire Department will live with him forever.
“It has been a tremendous career,” he said. “It’s the best job I’ve had because there is always uncertainty of what’s going to happen. When the tone goes off and you go to a structure fire, your adrenaline immediately goes up. There is never anything mundane about being a firefighter.”
Many were in attendance to see Bailey off, including two former Norman fire chiefs, Johnny Vaughn and James Fullingim. They said Bailey was a valuable asset to the community throughout his career.
“Jim was my right-hand man for the 10 years I was fire chief,” Fullingim said. “We’ve always worked together in one aspect or another. He was always able to make the decisions I couldn’t always make.”
Vaughn said he took a chance on Bailey, and he doesn’t regret it.
“I had a chance to promote Jim to be on my staff, I took it and I’m glad I did,” he said.
Norman City Manager Steve Lewis echoed Fullingim’s and Vaughn’s compliments.
“Bailey has been an integral part of the fire department’s leadership team,” Lewis said. “He helped lead the department through growth, advancements in technology and, most recently, improvements in the ISO ratings. Because of his outgoing personality and how he represented the department in corresponding with the media, he has often been the face of the Norman Fire Department, reassuring the public during various emergencies.”
Lewis said Bailey left the department with a blueprint for success.
“We appreciate Bailey’s commitment to serving our community for the past 36 years,” he said. “Due to his leadership, the department is well-prepared to continue the excellent standard of service to residents of Norman.”
Bailey joined the Norman Fire Department on Oct. 6, 1980. He was promoted to driver/engineer in 1986, then to captain in 1989. Bailey served as assistant chief in 2003 and deputy fire chief in 2006, serving under Fullingim. When Fullingim retired earlier this year, Bailey became interim fire chief until April 29, when Travis King took over the position.
While working for a taxidermist part-time and attending East Texas Bible College, Bailey was inspired to become a firefighter. It all started with a tip from his brother.
“While I was working for the taxidermist, there was a lady that I worked with who was married to a fireman,” Bailey said. “I knew I was going to get out of college soon. The lady told me firefighters only work 10 days a month. I thought to myself, ‘Oh, really?’
“It was the spark that got me interested in becoming a firefighter.”
“My brother was living in Norman and he called me up and told me the Norman Fire Department was testing for firefighters,” he said. “I tested, got on in October 1980, and that’s how it all began.”
Copyright 2016 The Norman Transcript