By Stephen Kindland
Staff writer
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Lorin Mock, a 37-year veteran in the fire service field and former member of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, has been named as the new fire and rescue chief for Clay County.
Mock, who was among eight finalists that included Clay County Fire and Rescue deputy chiefs David Motes and Richard Knoff as well as Orange Park Fire Chief Ty Silcox, said on Tuesday, Sept. 29, that he is eager to start his new job on Nov. 4.
“It’s a very good department, and I have great respect for the men and women in the organization,” Mock said. “Moving from a large city to a smaller county, the worst thing you can do is come in thinking that you have all the answers.”
County Manager Fritz Behring could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday, Sept. 29, but he said earlier that his choice would be based on experience, education and proven leadership.
Behring also said “a great number” of applicants sought the position that has been open since June 23, when Frank Ennist resigned amid allegations of misconduct. Ennist was paid $92,000 a year when he began in 2006, and was earning $95,000 a year when he stepped down.
Mock said he and Behring have similar views on expanding the scope of the position, and that he admires the county manager’s approach to running emergency operations.
“He seems like a rock solid individual,” Mock said. “I’m sure it will be great working with him.”
Mock will be leaving his position as domestic security coordinator for the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. Mock has been coordinating all fire service-related homeland security funding for the state’s urban search and rescue, hazardous materials, weapons of mass destruction, technical rescue and other emergency response teams for the past year.
He retired from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department in 2008 after a 27-year career in which he rose through the ranks and received mayoral appointments as a division chief for operations as well as emergency preparedness. Mock also was named county emergency manager for the city of Jacksonville and Duval County.
Mock began his career in 1972 as a volunteer for a central Pennsylvania fire service, and later worked for the Hershey, Pa., fire department as an emergency medical technician. He also evaluated fire service organizations for that department’s Insurance Services Office.
Mock holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Florida as well as a bachelor’s degree in education from Lock Haven University and an associate’s degree in fire science from Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania.
September 29th 2009 - 8:57PM