Warner Robins Fire Department Captain Mike Thorn’s last day was Friday. Thorn retired after serving 30 years with the department.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Fire Chief Ross Moulton said the department is not able to host a retirement party at this time, but still wanted to do something special for Thorn on his last day. Moulton presented Thorn a plaque of appreciation for his years of service as well as several other gifts of appreciation. Moulton then held a last roll call for Thorn.
“It’s bittersweet to see Captain Thorn retire,” Moulton said. “We don’t want him to go, but understand and he definitely deserves it. He has done so much for our department and has truly made a difference. He was always there and stepped up, was a vital part of our training, and went on just about every deployment you can think of, from Hurricane Katrina to the wildfires in Waycross, Georgia and many more. We thank him for his service and wish him all the best.”
Thorn’s first day with the Warner Robins Fire Department was March 26, 1990. Thorn said he honestly never thought about becoming a firefighter until his brother wanted to join.
“I was working at a local print shop, and one day my brother called me and asked if I wanted to apply with him to join the Warner Robins Fire Department,” Thorn said. “I was born in Perry, and we later moved to Warner Robins. We used to live a street over from Station 1, and would hear the trucks run all the time. Well, I gave it some thought, and here I am retiring after 30 years.”
That year, Thorn said the department was to hire 11 people, the most it’s ever hired in one time frame. There were 100 people who applied, and it came down to 30 being interviewed. Thorn said both he and his brother were hired.
“Not long after being hired, I knew I wasn’t going to leave unless they fired me,” Thorn said laughing. “They teased me and my brother all the time and would say that my brother would be the one to make this a career and I would leave. But I loved it, and I loved helping people. I tell the guys and girls who come here to work that if you don’t enjoy helping people, then this isn’t for you, and to me, this was the best job in the world.”
Thorn started out as a firefighter, and fought fires for 12 years. He said he didn’t want to go any higher for the longest time because he enjoyed fighting fires. Thorn then went into the training division for the department, where he spent about 10 years, and then came to the administration side where he was promoted to captain.
“Being captain was a different experience and one I enjoyed as well,” Thorn said. “One day I could be filling in where I needed to be, and then the next I am meeting with the base (Robins Air Force Base) leadership talking about how we can better improve our relationship and help more. But out of all the things I experienced with the fire department, I would have to say the most fun thing was getting to know everyone and building those friendships. When I started, we had around 80 people for the whole department; now we have over 120.”
While Thorn’s last day was Friday, he said he is not going to stop working. Thorn has his own landscaping business and plans to get it back running full time.
“I did landscaping on the side when I was on shift work, and was able to employee other firefighters during that time. So now, I just plan to get it back running full time and enjoy life. I’m going to miss the department, but I’ll be around.”
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