Robins Air Force Base Fire Department: Marcus White

Did you know Robins Air Force Base has its own fire department? Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Marcus White is in charge of ensuring the community knows they are here for them.

White serves as a manager, providing oversight in fire prevention and safety. He also serves as the department’s Public Information Officer.

The team comprises six fire inspectors that check all the facilities on RAFB, whether it is business or an industrial setting. White said they provide a thorough inspection in regards to fire safety measures.

Inspections are regulated and guided by a series of codes and standards. White also strives for their department to engage with the public through education and community engagement events.

“Not only are we an authoritative figure, but we’re also an educational figure that provide a fun and safe way for people to work, live and play on Robins,” he said.

White has been in the fire service since 2003, but was recently appointed to his new role after filling in for the past year.

There have been a lot of changes in the fire department and entities throughout the base, which White attributes to early retirements. This caused a lot of people to step up and fill the gap, which he took advantage of.

White describes a typical day for him as engaging, fun and public-facing. He said there are “two sides of the hose.” One side is responsive, while the other is preventative, which is where White is on.

On his side, he serves as a liaison to the people on RAFB.

“I’m not necessarily responding to them in what could potentially be the worst day of their life, but we’re responding to people with a more preventative approach,” he said.

White considers educational events as a fun part of his job, because he has creative freedom.

“As long as we’re delivering the message, whether it’s education or we’re engaging with people doing fire drills and stuff like that, It’s usually the lighter side of the response. [We’re] able to engage with our people and let them know ‘Hey, we do have a fire department on base,'” he said.

White believes engagement gives them a snapshot of who they are without the sirens. When they encounter people on the job, he aims to make it a positive experience.

On the fire side, several certifications are required to get into the fire service. This includes Firefighter One to HazMat technician level. He said there are three phases: HazMat awareness, HazMat ops, where they learn how to mitigate with defensive measures, and finally, HazMat technician level.

Another technical certification is confined space, which has helped him in his current position.

At RAFB, many times they go into places like aircraft tanks or manholes.

Whenever they are in those situations, White represents the fire department and ensures they are doing it in a safe manner. He also ensures people know how to contact them if they need to respond.

“That’s the fun part for me. I get to be the liaison between our fire department and the 22,000 people that work on Robins,” he said.
As a child, he knew he did not want to be stuck in a job he was not passionate about. Since he was an athlete, he wanted to use his physical abilities.

He chose to join the Air Force because he wanted to help people. White’s family members also served, which is what intrigued him to pursue it professionally.

White has been named Firefighter of the Year. Early in his career, he was promoted to Airman six months early due to his efforts, work ethic, positive attitude and exemplifying excellence. He considers that a distinguished award he enjoys looking back on, even 20 years later.

“I look back on that and try to remain who I was then through and through. Then pay it to who I can that’s willing to listen and pay attention,” he said.

Although White is the face of the department, he considers himself as a representative of the firemen on the trucks and those who perform facility inspections.

As a PIO, he receives calls related to special events near and far. In one event, White gathered a handful of firefighters to compete in a nationally recognized boxing tournament.

The tournament brings police officers and firemen together for one night a year, who box to raise money for underprivileged children in the metro Atlanta area.

“Being able to perform in that capacity and represent not only our fire department but middle Georgia, it’s been an honor to be able to do so,” he said.

Engaging with people in a positive light is what White considers his favorite part of the job. He hopes to represent his department well and contribute to the RAFB lifestyle.

“When they call my number I take it very seriously. We put our best foot forward to represent, engage, and positively impact, especially our youth, as much as possible,” he said.

White wears his badge with a passion. He cares about the people in the profession as well as the people they serve.

“I think I exemplify that to anybody that get the opportunity to encounter me. They know that I’m passionate about the badge and I’m passionate about the people inside of this gate,” he said.

White is also dedicated to their mutual aid partners. He cares about the safety of those in the fire department and whoever is in need of their services.

Outside of the fire station, he enjoys spending time with family. He is also involved in his youth sports mentoring program, which he said he puts his heart into. White continues his community engagement through a men’s group he is part of and likes farming to slow down.

“I’m not afraid to try anything. To me that’s the key to life. I like to try different experiences and I’m [passionate] when I engage with something, I’m living and experiencing as I go. [I like to] be engaged whatever it is, family, hobbies, kids, whatever,” he said.

White encourages those interested in the fire service to do it. He believes it is another side of life that not everyone gets to see.

“If you have a niche or a desire to do so, at least try it. It provides life perspective that you probably won’t get working anywhere else. You get to see life through a different lens,” he said.

White’s career in fire service has taught him to embrace and appreciate the small things in life. As a parent to a six-year-old, he has learned patience, which is vital when working with children.

On the job, people looking to him is what motivates White every day.

“It motivates me to do the right thing and to be a good positive example. Knowing that I’m able to inspire, I take full ownership of it,” he said. “That motivates me to do the right thing at all times [and] knowing that I can’t be selfish.”