Though a Jacksonville resident for just over three years, retired firefighter Bill Murdock is building community one volunteer-hour at a time. One of JCC’s facility maintenance helpers, Bill also serves the community by intaking and preparing the donations that support the Jacksonville Seniors thrift store on Oregon Street.
“I’m a firm believer in volunteering my time instead of sitting around in a rocking chair,” said Bill, who also volunteered for another thrift store in his former home of Grass Valley, California. His specialty: ensuring anything electronic is safe, functional or repairable.
“I’ve been involved in public service since I was 18. I grew up in a small town with no services and many underprivileged people. So many folks just need a little assistance – not a hand-out. Providing service that helps others is important to me and my mental health.”
Bill served in the Navy right out of high school from 1965 to 1969 on the Atlantic coast as a bosun mate; operating cranes, driving boats, and maintaining ship decks. He “took three days off” before starting his next job as a firefighter with Cal Fire in Northern California working between Fresno and Redding.
Rising through the ranks, Bill became a chief officer and managed fire incidents in division, department and unit chief positions. Today, we can all thank Bill for his part in writing sections of the nationally-employed Incident Command System – which helps agencies manage wildfires and other natural disasters with defined roles, responsibilities, planning structures and communications.
Be sure to share a wave with Bill if you see him on the JCC grounds or in the thrift store sorting shed next to the Center. We are so happy to have Bill as one of our special volunteers!
