On Friday, July 19, Chief Frank Burns’ 45-year career with the Kings Mountain Fire Department will be celebrated with a retirement ceremony at 4 pm at the Patrick Senior Center.
In 1974, Burns joined the fire department as a full-time driver. A 1970 graduate of Kings Mountain High School, Burns worked his way through the ranks and was promoted to the Training Office in 1976. He went from full-time to volunteer in 1979 and later that year became Volunteer Assistant Chief. He was promoted to Chief just ten years later in 1989 and has kept that role for the last 30 years.
During his career, Burns commanded in many fire scenes, but a huge fire at the abandoned Margrace Mill stays with him still.