by David Ball
Staff Writer
Richard “Ricky” Thomas isn’t your average mechanic. There’s a lot riding on his work. If he can’t repair an alternator, property, and even lives, could be lost.
Thomas works for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Tactical Support team (TAC), repairing vehicles and other equipment fire and rescue personnel rely on to get them to an emergency and take the injured away.
And apparently, Thomas is really, really good at what he does.
“He’s simply incredible. His knowledge and passion for this work is something you’ve never seen before,” said Chief Larry Peterson, who hired Thomas about three years ago. “He’s been the biggest positive in our tactical support in my six years overseeing it. He’s that good.”
Wednesday, Mayor John Peyton recognized Thomas’ work by bestowing him the Mayor’s Award at the quarterly City awards ceremony in City Hall.
“He is being recognized for repairing and improving the equipment, really being a troubleshooter,” said Peyton to the crowd of mostly City workers. “That is crucial in an industry so dependent on equipment.”
The reserved and humble Thomas, 42, said he felt he had now reached a milestone in his career.
“I feel like there’s so many people that deserve this more than me,” he said. “But this is like going to the Super Bowl for a mechanic. I have to thank my bosses, Larry Peterson and Randy White for giving me a chance.”
Peterson expressed enough gratitude for the both of them.
“It means a lot to me that he got this award. He’s the kind of guy you’ll never be able to repay.” said Peterson. “He’s a hell of an asset to this city.”
Thomas originally worked for one of the Department’s equipment manufacturers, and Peterson said he took almost a $20,000 pay cut to come work for JFRD. He currently operates out of the Department’s 20,000-square-foot repair facility on Ellis Road and will ride out to a scene to handle emergency repairs on any of the close to 400 vehicles in service.
“Ricky will perform a brake job in half the normal time. When you come to the shop, instead of swapping out equipment he’ll get you in and out, and the quality of the work is still the best,” said Peterson. “In the private sector, if you had three of him working he’d make you a millionaire in no time.”
Thomas said he took the pay cut to work in the family atmosphere and camaraderie at Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.
“A private company can forget you and consider you just a number,” he said. “But at Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, I feel they are looking out for me and I am looking out for them.”
Thomas said he plans to stay in Jacksonville for the remainder of his career, which does not include any ambition for promotions or managerial roles. As for why he works as hard as he does, Thomas said fixing trucks and helping firemen is what he was meant to do.
“I feel like we owe the taxpayers the best because they pay our salaries,” he said. “We owe it to them to give them the protection they need, so I get that truck up and running as quick as I can. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve got my dream job.”