Chief Tim Rayburn


Chief
Rayburn began his career as a volunteer with the Black Mountain Fire
Department in 1978. He worked his way through the ranks becoming a
certified fire
service instructor, training officer and deputy chief. Through the
years he
traveled to California, Idaho, Texas, Alabama, and Florida to fight
wildfires
with the U.S. Forest Service. He has served as Director of the North
Carolina
Urban Search and Rescue Team stationed in Buncombe County. He has
taught
extensively across the state in the field of pumps, water supply,
and emergency
vehicle operations. While serving as Chief at Black Mountain his
station
underwent a Department of Insurance inspection. His previous years
of interest
and experience in preparing for Department of Insurance inspections
enabled him
to successfully complete the inspection and resulted in a
Class 4
insurance
rating.
His love of old vehicles led him to help restore the 1926 American
Lafrance fire
truck which is on display at the Black Mountain Fire Department
Museum. This
vehicle is used for parades and other public functions.
Chief Rayburn retired as
Chief of Black Mountain in December 2007.
He considers one of his greatest personal achievements to be his
family, two
grown daughters and three grandsons. He and his wife of twenty eight
years,
Gail reside in Black Mountain.
During the interview process for Enka Fire Department he was asked
what he
thought about the future of the Enka Fire Department. He adamantly
responded
that "Enka would be a leader in the fire service in North Carolina
because the
employees there are committed to being leaders themselves.
I am proud to be a part of Enka Fire Department. Regardless of all
the goals
that we set and achieve as a unified organization, our number one
goal is to
protect and serve this community to the best of our
ability and with
great
pride."