GRENADA — Rosebloom native Hollis Wade Bloodworth has dreamed of being a firefighter since a young age.
For more than two decades, the career firefighter has been living that dream working his way up the ranks with the Grenada Fire Department. All of his hard work paid off last week as City Manager Stan Amos opened [a recent] City Council meeting by announcing Bloodworth as the city’s new fire chief, replacing Ronnie L. Willis Sr., who retired over a year ago.
“It feels good,” Chief Bloodworth said of his promotion. “I’m going to try to keep the fire department moving forward, keep the (IS0) rating for the city a Class 4 or better — that’s our goals — and to serve the citizens and the visitors of Grenada the best we can to ensure that they stay safe. Our No. 1 goal is life safety. It feels good to know that I can give back to the city that gave to me.”
The 2002 Grenada High School graduate began working with the Grenada Fire Department shortly after high school in 2003. He graduated from the Mississippi Fire Academy in 2004, and has served in a variety of roles during his 21 years on staff.
“I always knew that I wanted to be a firefighter in Grenada,” Bloodworth said. “I’ve always wanted to give back to the city that gave to me. I’m a home boy; I wanted to stay at home.”
Bloodworth’s roles with the GFD include firefighter (four years), sergeant (four years), lieutenant (nine years), deputy chief (two years) and assistant chief (three years).
The 40-year-old admitted that his career has flashed before his eyes much like the fires he has fought.
“The thought of being the fire chief had crossed my mind, but your career flashes so fast before you that before you know it — I was lieutenant for years — it just didn’t seem stagnant, the years flew by so quick. Then, all of the sudden, I caught myself serving as a company officer, running a shift and running a crew. Once people retired, it just changed really quick for me.”
Bloodworth added that he wants to grow the department during his tenure as chief as well as offer classes and other training in an effort to develop more officers for the future of the department.
“I would also like to see a new Fire Station 1 built,” he concluded. “That’s what I’m working on now. My goal is to take care of my staff and make sure that they have the knowledge and the tools to perform the job safely and effectively.”
Bloodworth and his wife, Rebecca Lea Bloodworth, have been married for 15 years. She is a teacher with the Grenada School District.
