JANUARY 2012 MEMBER PROFILE:

Retired Battalion Chief Emory "E-MO" Holsenbeck

Emory Holsenbeck, born November 11, 1939 at home, 26th Street in Grand Park.

Emory was raised on a farm that grew vegetables to sell to the market.

Emory graduated from Paxon High School in 1957. Shortly after he graduated he went to college and got his Fire Science degree.

Emory met Sandra Hood, who graduated from Andrew Jackson, they married in 1960. The
Holsenbeck’s have three son’s, Darrell, Scott and Jason.

Emory retired in 2004 as a Battalion Chief with 38 1/2 years. He retired from Station 10.

Emory is most proud of his 3 sons that all work for the City of Jacksonville serving their
community. Jason, Engineer at Eng. 2B with 17 years, Scott works for JEA and Darrell, Battlation Chief at Station One with 24 years on the job.

Emory stated the reason for his wanting to become a fireman and he stated that he worked at
Capital Paint at 8th and Main. There were several firemen that worked there as an off duty job. They convinced him to become a firefighter. Emory remembers several of these men: District Chief Earl Matthews, Captain Ressie Taylor, Captain Red Strickland, Captain Alton Carver,
Carlton Mercer and Smiley Burnett.

Emory joined the fire department in June of 1965 and was assigned to Engine 3 with Captain Cecil Harbison for three years.

Emory’s second assignement was Rescue 9 at Station 9 for three years.

Emory got out of Rescue and went to Eng. 2. When Emory made engineer at Station 9 he was
assigned to the Engine with Captain Walter butler.

Emory made Lieutenant with 7 years on the job and was assigned to the Training School on
Stockton Street. After spending a year at the training school he was assigned to Sta. 11 with
Captain Cecil Harbison.

After consolidation in 1968 Emory was the first Officer to be assigned at what was an all volunteer station. He went to Station 24.

After making the rank of District Chief he was assigned to Station 18. He spent 10 years there and the officers at the time were: Lt. B.J. Pickett and Captain Fred Ferguson.

Emory was Battalion Chief at Station 10 B for 12 years and retired from that position.
 

Emory states that he could not name the number of “good” friends he made while on the
department. He says there are too many to name.

Emory says the most memorable fire to him was the Triangle Tank Fire next to Station 11. Emory and Jessie Clements were the first two members of the department to ever receive the Gold Life Saving Award. Emory was a Lieutenant at Station 11 .
 

	Left to right: Retired Battalion Chief Emory Holsenbeck Engineer Jason Holsenbeck Battalion Chief Darrell Holsenbeck
	Through researching family history Emory has discovered a community between Atlanta and Athens, Ga. in Barrow County named after the Holsenbecks.   Emory and his wife Sandra standing by the school plaque The Holsenbeck Elementary School is named for William Holsenbeck. William served as the Superintendent for many years.
	The Holsenbeck Fire Department was built in or around 1991.
	This is a collection of patches from the Holsenbeck Fire Department in Barrow County Georgia.
	Emory is proud to point out the plaque That hangs on the station named for a relative.
	This is Station 6 in Barrow County. Named for an ancestor.