Memorials, Retirement - Smyrna Fire Chief Bill Culbertson -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Sparks

Memorial resolution honoring Smyrna Fire Chief William Culbertson Jr. for 30+ years of service, leadership, and community programs as he retires.

Signed by Governor.

#memorials #retirement

Summary of House Joint Resolution 124 (HJR 124)

Basic Information

Bill Type: Joint Resolution (memorial)

Sponsor: Sparks

Title: Memorials, Retirement – Smyrna Fire Chief Bill Culbertson

Status: Signed by Governor

Introduced: January 24, 2025

Version Content: A memorial resolution honoring Fire Chief William Culbertson, Jr. on his retirement from the Smyrna Fire Department

Official Action: Read and enrolled; concurrent with Senate; subsequently signed by the Governor (February 2025)

Purpose and Intent

HJR 124 memorializes and commends Fire Chief William Culbertson, Jr., upon his retirement after more than three decades of service as the Smyrna Fire Department’s chief.

The resolution expresses appreciation for his leadership, public service, and community impact, and it extends best wishes for his retirement and future endeavors.

Key Provisions and Provisions’ Focus

The resolution honors Chief Culbertson for:

More than 30 years of service, including a historic tenure as the department’s first full-time firefighter (hired in 1989).
Leadership during Smyrna’s growth (population growth to over 57,400; construction/renovation of multiple fire stations; hiring of 108 full-time personnel).
Community and public safety initiatives such as:
Youth programs (youth camp program; Fire and Police Youth Academy).
Public safety programs (Fire Prevention Week Open House; annual food drives for Nourish Food Bank).
Enhanced fire prevention capacity (fire codes and origin investigator in 2019; a fire codes inspector unit with 15 inspectors).
Drone program (began in 2021; 20 certified drone pilots).
Recognition and ceremonial units (Smyrna Fire Department Honor Guard; involvement in the 2016 Navy Blue Angels jet crash response).
Maintenance of an Insurance Services Office (ISO) score of 3.
Personal background and public service lineage (grandfather as Smyrna’s first fire chief in 1924; father’s roles in fire/political leadership).

The resolution notes Culbertson’s personal interests (photography) and his family, highlighting his seven children and four grandchildren.

The final clause authorizes an appropriately prepared copy for presentation, with a standardized textual provision regarding the language following the State seal.

Who Is Affected

Primarily, Fire Chief William Culbertson, Jr., and the Smyrna Fire Department.

The Smyrna community benefits indirectly through recognition of leadership and the department’s innovations and community programs.

Procedural History and Timeline

Introduced: January 24, 2025

Sponsor Added / Concurrence: February 12–13, 2025

Engrossed/Transmit to Senate: February 6, 2025

Senate Action (Speaker signatures, etc.): mid-February 2025

Enrolled / Ready for Governor: February 14, 2025

Governor’s Action: Signed and effective February 21, 2025

Overall Significance

This is a ceremonial, non-substantive honor recognizing a long-serving public employee and his contributions to public safety and the Smyrna community.

It serves as an official legislative gesture of gratitude and best wishes at the occasion of retirement.