Franklin, TN – Franklin Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Greg Baltimore, a respected fire service leader with a 40-year firefighting career, including 33 years with the Franklin Fire Department (FFD), is retiring today.

Baltimore has served as the department’s second-in-command since 2020, overseeing both the Operations and Training divisions. During his tenure, he was a key leader in maintaining the department’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 rating, a distinction earned by only the top one percent of fire departments nationwide out of more than 37,000 evaluated. 

The Operations Division includes 158 on-shift personnel who provide emergency response services including fire suppression, emergency medical care, hazardous materials mitigation, and technical rescue operations. In 2024, firefighters responded to more than 11,500 emergency calls for service.

The Training Division oversees recruit academies, in-service training, certifications, and ongoing professional development. In 2024, the division documented over 56,000 training hours department-wide, averaging approximately 350 hours per year for each on-shift firefighter. This year’s Recruit Academy graduated 11 firefighters, including the first five graduates of the department’s new Internship Program, created after lowering the hiring age to 18. All interns completed the Franklin Fire Department’s Recruit Academy and accepted full-time positions upon graduation. Baltimore’s leadership has played a significant role in strengthening the department’s professionalism, operational readiness, and organizational culture. 

A native of Ripley, Tennessee, Baltimore began his fire service career after graduating from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. He made history as the first Black firefighter hired by the Ripley Fire Department. Five years later, he relocated to Middle Tennessee after being hired as a firefighter at Nashville International Airport, where he served for two years before joining the Franklin Fire Department.

Baltimore joined the Franklin Fire Department in 1992 and progressed through the ranks from firefighter to engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and assistant fire chief. He served 13 years as a battalion chief before being promoted to assistant fire chief in December 2020 by City Administrator Eric Stuckey and Fire Chief Glenn Johnson.

Throughout his career, Baltimore commanded numerous large-scale incidents and received multiple honors, including Firefighter of the Year in 1999 and Fire Officer of the Year in 2008. In 2009, he received a Unit Citation for Valorous Conduct for his role in a complex extrication. He also deployed in 2016 to assist with response efforts during the Sevier County and Gatlinburg wildland fires. Additionally, he received an Outside Agency Award after being named Firefighter of the Year by the Franklin Exchange Club in 1994.

Fire Chief Glenn Johnson praised Baltimore’s legacy of service, saying, “Chief Baltimore’s dedication to professionalism and respectful leadership has defined his career. He has been instrumental in the daily supervision and mentorship of our Battalion Chiefs, setting an unwavering standard for conduct and command. His 33 years of service, particularly his four years as my second-in-command, have left a lasting mark on the culture of our department and the quality of service we provide to the City of Franklin.”

City Administrator Eric Stuckey said, “Greg Baltimore’s 40-year career in the fire service is defined by steady leadership and a heart for service. During his 33 years with the Franklin Fire Department, he has been a mentor to many and a friend to all who work for the City. We are a better, safer organization because of his contributions. We congratulate him on this milestone and wish him and his family a fulfilling retirement."

Baltimore and his wife, LaJuana, reside in Nashville with their son, Gregory Jr., who is a high school senior. Their adult son, Allen, and his wife, J’Taime, live in New York City and recently welcomed a daughter, Amora, the couple’s first grandchild. 

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