Firefighter Spotlight

Captain, EMT Mike Holt

Why did you join the Hendersonville Fire Department?

I have always had a desire to help and protect my fellow man. 

I served in the US Army for three years and the

Tennessee Army National Guard for five. 

I was also a Reserve Police Officer here in Hendersonville

prior to my employment with the fire department. 

As you can see, I have been drawn to professions

where I can protect people.  I have always held firefighters

in high regard, and it was a profession that appealed

to me immensely. 

What do you like most about the Hendersonville Fire Department?

The HFD is a brotherhood like no other.  The camaraderie

and esprit de corps of my department gives us

firefighters a sense of ownership and a great pride

in the department.  The men of the department want to

do a great job for the citizens that they have sworn to protect,

and to protect their “brother” on the hose line next to them. 

The men of the Hendersonville Fire Department are

summed up in one word…Courageous.  These men will

stand when the others fall away.  They will go forward when

others are retreating.  Hendersonville firemen will always

protect their citizens with strength and zeal.  This organization

is the finest group of firemen that I know and I just wanted

Hendersonville to know what an outstanding group of

people you have serving you. 

What is the most significant development in your career?

My most significant development had to be when I was

promoted to Captain 1.5 year ago.  Scotty Bush,

Tony Janco and I were given the opportunity to open

a new station with a new engine in the Winston Hills Subdivision. 

 This fire station is known as House 6.  It houses Engine 6

and in my opinion, this is the finest piece of apparatus

in the department.  We also house the Brush Truck and the

technical heavy Rescue Trailer.  This awesome assignment

coupled with the promotion, gave me a great sense

of accomplishment.  I have a crew of individuals, also in my

opinion the finest crew in the department, who are highly

motivated and competent individuals.  These gentlemen

that make coming to work every shift enjoyable and

rewarding are Senior Firefighter Michael Carman,

Firefighter Jon Hall and Firefighter Ryan Miller.

  What are your future plans?

Right now, I am enjoying being done with school. 

In May I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the

University of Memphis.  That was a difficult four-year

journey and I would like to thank the three people

in the department that helped me through that endeavor: 

Fire Chief Jamie Steele, Division Chief Gary Parker,

and Senior Firefighter Steve Burtnett.  All three of these

gentlemen gave me positive reinforcement and guidance

that helped me tremendously when I started to

feel overwhelmed.

Future Plans are actually more schooling.  I plan on attending

 Fire Instructor II and Fire Officer III at the state fire academy

and I have started teaching Fire Science class at Volunteer State

 Community College for firefighters trying to attain

their Associate’s Degree.

Tell us about your family

My family is a great topic to talk about; I have been married to

Cindy, my best friend for 19 years.  Our daughter Stephanie

graduated from HHS and is now attending Volunteer State

Community College where she will be studying nursing. 

Our son Dillon is a junior at HHS.  He loves Soccer and he

has been playing both spring and fall seasons in the park for four years. 

He loves it so much he would play in a summer and winter

league if they were available.  My father, Buddy, retired from

the railroad a few years ago and my mother Ginger works

at Wal-Mart.  They both live in town.  My brother Jason

also lives here in Hendersonville with his wife

Miranda and their children Lindsey, Chloe,

Madeline and Sydney.

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