Tim Hooker Retirement
Rutherford County Emergency Management team said so long and happy retirement to Tim Hooker today.
Carey Clark recapped Tim’s distinguished career with the following biography.
After an extraordinary career spanning more than five decades in emergency services, Tim Hooker is retiring from his role as Assistant Director of the Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency. Tim has served Rutherford County for 19 years, capping off a distinguished 25-year run in emergency management.
Tim's service to the community began in 1974 and has encompassed nearly every facet of emergency response. His background includes roles in law enforcement, firefighting, rescue operations, and emergency planning. Throughout his career, Tim has earned a reputation for professionalism, versatility, and deep dedication to public safety.
He holds Certified Emergency Management Professional (CEMP) credentials and is a certified all-hazards instructor through the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Tim regularly provides instruction in Hazardous Materials, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives CBRNE, Incident Command System, and Active Threat Integrated Response—helping prepare countless responders for the challenges of modern emergency response.
His field experience is equally impressive, including work as a Rescue Specialist with Hamilton County Rescue and time with the Lookout Mountain Fire Departments in both Georgia and Tennessee, where he served as Lieutenant and Sergeant, respectively. He has also served as a patrol officer with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, a nuclear facility planner/trainer with TEMA, and the Emergency Management Director in Coffee County.
Tim's training resume is extensive and includes EMT certification, cave, pit, and cliff rescue, vehicle extrication, ground search and rescue, and advanced dive certifications through National Association of Scuba Diving Schools, NASDS, National Association of Underwater Instructors, NAUI, and Professional Association of Diving Instructors, PADI for underwater search and recovery.
Tim’s depth of knowledge, steady leadership, and calm presence in times of crisis have made a lasting impact on the agencies and communities he has served. His departure marks the end of an era, and he will be deeply missed by colleagues and friends alike.
We congratulate Tim on his well-earned retirement and thank him for his decades of dedication and service.