Captain Shane Richardson Awarded Exchange Club Firefighter of the Year
Rutherford County - TN (October 9, 2025) Rutherford County Fire and Rescue Captain Shane Richardson was awarded the 2025 Firefighter of the Year Award through the Noon Exchange Club Wednesday, during a lunch reception at Through the Grapevine in Murfreesboro.
Richardson attended the reception with his wife, Shea, Rutherford County Fire and Rescue Chief Larry Farley, and Rutherford County Fire and Rescue Training Officer Cody Smith.
Farley highlighted Richardson's exemplary service during his remarks, noting that he embodies the values the team is built on: dedication, leadership, and service.
"As one of our most highly trained and respected instructors, Captain Richardson is instrumental in both the classroom and on the front lines,” Farley said. "His influence ensures that our personnel are not only technically skilled but also mentally prepared to create successful outcomes in every emergency they face. Captain Richardson's leadership, dedication to training, and unwavering commitment to his crew and community make him an invaluable asset to our department and a role model for all."
Richardson's dream of becoming a firefighter began when he was just 16, volunteering at his community fire hall. He trained and became a member of the La Vergne fire crew in 2014 and joined Rutherford County in 2021. Reflecting on his service to date, he said it was exciting to see the team grow from 48 to 115 firefighters.
During his remarks after a 48-hour shift with 56 engine runs, he credited his career success to his loving and supportive wife, Shea, and said he wouldn't have made it this far without her.
"This isn't a job, it's a calling," Richardson said. "I can't think of anything else I would want to do."
When asked if any calls were more challenging than others, Richardson said that anytime a child is involved, it's tough because he has children of his own.
He smiled when he shared about the joyful times he delivered three babies in the field during his career so far, one of those, most recently, two months ago, on the side of Interstate 24.
More information on The Noon Exchange Club of Murfreesboro can be found at https://www.nationalexchangeclub.org/.