View the flyer for his retirement party here.

Franklin, TN – After 41 years in the fire service, including the last 30 with the Franklin Fire Department, Deputy Fire Marshal Wayne Mobley will retire next week. Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to attend his retirement celebration on Wednesday, July 30 at 3 PM at Franklin Fire Station 3, located at 298 Mallory Station Road.

Mobley has been a cornerstone of the department and a steady presence through decades of tremendous development, growth, and change in Franklin. He played a key role in ensuring new buildings were constructed in compliance with fire and life safety codes, helping to protect both the public and emergency responders. 

His passion for the fire service began in childhood, sparked by a brush fire on his family’s property in Williamson County. “I remember seeing the firefighters as I got off the bus,” Mobley said. “I thought back then that it’d be neat to help people.” That desire led him to join the Williamson County Rescue Squad as a volunteer in 1984. Living in Thompson’s Station at the time, he helped establish Station 23, which opened in 1990. 

Mobley began his professional firefighting career in 1988 with the City of Brentwood Fire Department before joining the Franklin Fire Department in 1995. He was promoted to Engineer in 2000, serving at Stations 1, 2, and 3. In 2005, he transitioned into an administrative role and, in 2006, became FFD’s first full-time fire inspector. As the department’s sole inspector at the time, Mobley oversaw dozens of major construction projects. His first and most memorable high-profile assignment was the Nissan North America headquarters, a 10-story, 460,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2008 and marked a significant milestone in both his career and the city’s development.

Reflecting on his approach to inspections, Mobley shared, “I’m proud of all of them. I left my handprint on every one. I always tried to remember what it was like to be on shift, whether I was placing alarm panels, FDCs, or hydrants, making sure everything was accessible and positioned correctly. I thought about the people building the structures, the people who would be coming in and out of them, and the firefighters who might respond to them. I kept everyone in mind.” 

Mobley was recognized multiple times for his outstanding service, being named Fire Administration Staff Member/Officer of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2015, and 2018.

Fire Chief Glenn Johnson said Mobley’s retirement marks the end of an era, “Wayne has made a tremendous impact on this department and the City of Franklin. His depth of knowledge, humble leadership, and unwavering dedication to safety will be missed. We are grateful for his decades of service and wish him a well-deserved and happy retirement.” 

Fire Marshal Andy King added, "Wayne brought a rare combination of field experience and technical expertise to the fire marshal’s office, but what truly set him apart was his approach. He built relationships on a foundation of respect, always proving to be fair and thorough. While he wasn’t one to mince words, everyone he worked with knew his goal was the same as theirs: to get the project done correctly and safely. His influence is in buildings across Franklin, and it’s been an honor to work alongside him.”

In retirement, Mobley looks forward to spending more time with his wife of 43 years, Corrinne, their two sons, and ten grandchildren. A skilled woodworker, he plans to teach woodworking, focusing on Windsor chairs and Shaker furniture.

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