My first apartment was near the NVCC Annandale campus. Up the street lived Clark and Helen Martin.
Clark, a fellow county firefighter, came from Henrico County near Richmond, where his brother was a police officer. Helen worked as a nurse at Fairfax Hospital. Clark shared my buff-level fascination with all things firemantic. During one vacation he found his way into a half-dozen San Francisco fire stations … until Helen complained.
LIVED FOR THE DETAILS
I never met someone as enamored with the details of a complex operation or procedure. While working in Communications he was a big part of the implementation of the 800 mHz radio system, CAD dispatch and the NOVA automatic aid procedures. Clark is responsible for Fairfax County appropriating the PG “800″ COG radio IDs for Fairfax reserve rigs in the early days.
He always worked to improve operations. I was a company officer in Seven Corners, working a serious accident with injury, and Clark, as the dispatch center Uniform Fire Officer, was working the incident radio channel. He adding notations in the event history on the performance of the “radio bridge” during this automatic aid event.
Using wall-sized county fire box map, a sheet of steel, a bunch of magnets and Mylar labels, Clark built an Ouija board in the dispatch center. Every fire company in northern Virginia had a magnet. During midnight shifts the dispatch center would create major alarm events to see how that affected the balance of county coverage.
It provided great visual understanding of the impact of a multiple alarm event. One night we applied the 1988 Los Angeles Interstate Bank fire and put it in Tyson’s Corners. Assuming the same staffing requirements, most of the northern Virginia fire companies would be on the fireground, along with some Montgomery County (Maryland) and District of Columbia fire companies.
Clark’s last assignment in Fairfax was the Special Operations Deputy Chief.
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INTO THE KEYS
Clark retired from Fairfax County in 2002 and was hired as the first county fire chief/director for Monroe County, Florida. It is the southmost county in the Keys. This LINK takes you to a September 2002 interview
About three years ago, seeking treatment for fatigue, cancer was found. As the treatments became more extensive, his friends and colleagues were receiving emails from Clark, providing detailed reports of the disease, treatment and progress. As the disease progressed, Clark had to resign from Monroe County.
They had to sell their dream house in Marathon and move to Jacksonville to be closer to the treatment center. Clark wrote his 18th update in mid September and his ever-positive approach to battling “Mr. Adenocarcinoma” included a detailed description of the incident action plan (oops) patient treatment plan.
Unfortunately, tactics went from offensive to defensive. Helen had to provide updates 19, 20, 21 and 22 that covered getting the chief home and arranging hospice assistance. The battle ended yesterday.
Mike Ward
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Chief Martin Family,
My sympathy to the Martin family, I do know he will rest in peace. While he was here he blessed us all in many ways. As a follow “Martin” we shared some great stories and good “oh” laughter throughout his career with Fairfax County. My fondness memories of Clark are two fold – 1) each time Clark was promoted or had his Class A uniform modified I would always know, because the warehouse would send his uniforms/turn out gear to me. My strips and stars where building very fast in my career without taking a promotional test. The class A jacket was a little tight for me, I ask him to have the jacket adjusted for my size. When I finally did take a promotional test, yes he received my uniforms as well, he called me and thought he was demoted.
My second memory was the day he left the department; I had the great fortune of helping him clean out his office and help load the car. That was an exciting yet disappointing day for me; we spoke for awhile about memories of the department and sharing his insight about his future plans. I could tell he was very excited about his new career and moving his family to Florida.
He will be missed by all and be among the legends that have serve in the Fire Service. God Bless Martin Family. Rest in Peace Chief
Charles “CA” Martin
FS38-A
I have been on this site several times and as sad as it is to know he is no longer with us, It makes me greatful to have know such a good person. Thanks Chief for your guidence and example. Thanks for being a friend on my trips down though the Keys. I always looked forward to stopping in and saying hi. R.I.P. Chief
Joe Merritt
Fairfax Co. FIre & Rescue
I knew Clark as a fire photographer. He was always the consummate professional, with a keen gift to be able to motivate people to do the task at hand without being having to “order” people to work. During any interactions I had with Clark he always made me feel a part of the team.
Thank you Clark for being the person you were. May you rest in peace.
Sheldon Levi
Photo 421
I had the opportunity to work for Clark during his last assignment with Fairfax. We were in difficult times (9/11) with a lot of uncertainty, but Clark always remained focused and on his game. My last and truly the best memory was his farewell departure. The retirement luncheon had entertainment second to none, the guests included a memorable appearance by the Famous Fairfax FRD “Blues Brothers”. I believe it included a cartwheel while on stage. And Clark..he was dressed as Jimmy Buffet!! The event could not have been a better tribute to such a special person who was serious when he needed to be and a smiling the remainder to the time.
Maybe he is singing or eating Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Christine Woodard Louder
Deputy Chief EMS
“Marty” was one of my very favorite people in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Services. He was kind beyond kind and he taught me the phrase “firebug” because that is what Marty was through and through. I just found out today (November 11) from my sister Jane Crumbaugh, who also knew and loved Marty, of his death. In my opinion it is confirmed: only the good die young. Marty, you were one of the greatest. Rest in Peace.
/joy
Chief Martin was one of the noblest people I have had the pleasure of working under. He never made you feel that you were working “under” him but always “with” him. No matter how busy he was, which was always, he took the time to come into my office every morning and say “Good Morning Ms. Hayes, and how are you today”. It is a known fact that the person in “the lead position” sets the pace for those being lead. In light of that, Monroe County Fire Rescue staff was most fortunate to have Chief Martin as our leader. He led by example: positive attitude, respectful, hardworking, approachable,always doing the right thing, loving family man.
Dear Chief: A quote from a book entitled Forever Remember says it all: “There are some people who, when they die, the whole world seems depopulated”. This world definitely seems depopulated.
Dear Helen, Cassie & Trey: Many hugs to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Darice Hayes
Monroe County Fire Rescue Hq
OH MY GOD!! Helen, I am so very sorry for your loss. I haven’t seen you for years, and I am praying for you and your children There has been so much already said about Marty that I can only agree with everyone else. I truly loved Marty. I knew him most of my career with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and then Fairfax County Police, Fire and Rescue as a dispatcher in communications. There aren’t too many old timers left, but it sure was nice seeing the comments on this blog from alot of my old friends. Marty was the most understanding, compassionate, kind, professional and overall wonderful person that I ever had the pleasure of working with. I am so proud to know that he was my friend. Helen, God be with you and try to know that he is in a better place now, pain free. Marty, you will always be remembered and respected for all that you were.
Jane Crumbaugh
dispatcher, retired 2001
email: jclnghs@aol.com
I was one of the original members of the Henrico County Fire Cadet program, and Clark joined a few years later after I had gone into the military. After meeting in Fairfax we discovered our common bond, and we enjoyed comparing notes about our “start” in the fire service, and how Henrico had grown and changed over those years. Clark joined Fairfax County shortly after I did, and as we progressed through our careers we often competed on the same promotion tests. I realized early on that if I wanted to get promoted, Clark was one of the folks I had to beat. He was always learning, and he seemed to excel in every assignment. Even when we were taking the tests for Sergeant and Lieutenant, I had the feeling that Clark could well be the Chief one day, and I knew that he would be great to work for. I had the privilege of working with Clark twice before he left for the sunny south, once as a field Battalion Chief with Clark as my shift Deputy, and then in the Fire Prevention Division when he was the Deputy Chief there. Clark was always the consummate professional, and I used the word “with” intentionally. Even though Clark was the boss, he always made it seem like you were working “with” rather than “for” him, and you respected him because you knew that he respected you. In the field, you knew that you had the best when Clark arrived on the scene of an incident. In Prevention, I often found myself making decisions that, while required by the Fire Code, were not especially popular with members of the business community or the Board of Supervisors. Yet I knew that I had Clark’s full support at those times. The job would have been impossible without that. He was great — even fun — to work for, because he was one of those folks who took the job seriously, but didn’t take himself all that seriously. I’ll never forget the morning I walked in to find Clark in his office wearing a “Jimmy Buffet” shirt with a six-foot inflatable palm tree next to his desk.
Both in his career with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and in the way he handled his battle with “Mr. Adenocarcinoma,” Clark was an inspiration. As others here have noted, Clark practically defined “class act.” I don’t think he ever met anyone he didn’t like, and I don’t know anyone who ever met him who didn’t like him. There are too few people like him in the world, and he will be missed.
I can’t add much to what others have said other than “ditto!” Clark was one of the good ones. I was a career police officer in Fairfax County and it was my privilege to know him as a true professional who didn’t let ego get in the way of getting the job done. We spent more than a few long days in the disaster operation center managing the emergency response to major snow storms. He never got wound up over anything and had the perspective to turn aggravation on it’s head.
My sincere condolences to his family and his many friends.
Steve Smylie, Captain (retired)
Fairfax County PD
Clark, and his “partner in crime” John Kimball, were both assigned to the training center when I entered the service in 1978. Coming from NY, I instantly took a liking to Clark, who loved the FDNY and things New York, and it didn’t take long for him to know my accent wasn’t from Arkansas !! He absolutely made me feel comfortable in this new land of southern accents I had entered ! I had the pleasure of working for, or around, Clark most of my career and could not speak highly enough about his leadership skills and the confidence the troops had in him. A fireman’s fireman is what he was. Rest in peace my friend.
Chuck Jacobi
Captain, retired
FXCO FD
I have enjoyed reading the tributes you all have written. My children and I have received much comfort from all the kind words. He was so loved by all and he will be missed. I always told him the fire service was his mistress but I really did not mind. He loved the fire service and I respected his dedication. Clark was such a fighter and he never complained or felt sorry for himself. He always said it was the hand that was dealt and he was going to deal with it. I am looking forward in seeing you at Clark’s memorial/Celebration of life in December. We need to celebrate that we had the opportunity to know such an amazing man. Again I thank all of you for your cards, prayers and gifts.
Helen Martin
I think what I liked about Chief Martin the most was his demeanor. He always seemed so level headed, calm, and personable. His smile was warm and inviting. What I mean by that is I never felt put off by him. He showed genuine interest when you spoke to him about any subject. His leadership, honesty and plesent disposition made the fire department a wonderful place to work. We will all miss you very much.
Felecia Edwards
Clark will be missed by all who knew him. When he was in Fairfax County, I can recall many emergency incidents he showed up to and never got the big-eye. Always cool and calm with the right direction to proceed. Clark showed me a thing or two also as a senior member of the department. May he rest in peace.
Dereck Baker
Deputy Chief/Fire Prevention
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue
It was an honor to have known and to have worked with Deputy Chief Clark Martin. During his assignment to the Fire Prevention Division, I saw first hand his dedication and commitment regarding fire safety to the citizens of Fairfax County. Chief Martin worked for and achieved perfection in the fire service.
I extend my sincere sympathy to the Martin family. Even though we all miss him, I know his spirit will continue to be with us.
Life around Clark was never dull, just to name a few good-time memories:
The Jimmy Buffet Fridays, complete with the palm tree and monkey hanging from it in his office, and him bringing Helen’s Eggs Portugal to our Christmas breakfast.
The most memorable and funniest moment was when Clark inadvertently flashed the entire girls cross-county track team at Fairfax High School. Clark took off his coveralls and realized he forgot to put on his running shorts.
I had the pleasure of meeting Clark for the first time, when I was in recruit school. Clark joined us in EMT school during his transition from Communications to a Field Battalion Chief. We were all were awe, here a Battalion Chief was in EMT school with us. That is the kind of man Clark was, humble and yet so dedicated to the profession. I had the pleasure of working under Clark a few years later when he became our Shift Ops Deputy Chief. Clark was a great man true to his profession. He showed others how the job should be not through words, but through his everyday actions. To Helen and the family, I mourn your loss of a wonderful man. To the rest of us, I too mourn our loss. We should always be grateful to have had the chance to be a part of his wonderful life as well. As a contributor spoke of earlier, we’re still utilizing his Ouija board @ PSCC.
I had the pleasure and honor to work with Chief Martin when he was assigned as Deputy Chief of the Fire Prevention Division. I was always impressed with Clark as a man who never complained and always had a can do attitude. He is one of the few people I have ever met that never complained about anything. He was a breath of fresh air and provided insight for the division. I never heard a bad word or thought about Chief Martin and I learned why. He was supportive and positive in all his duties. He looked out for his personnel and always had a positive attitude and words of encouragement for us. I truly respected him and feel blessed to have been able to say I knew and worked for him. God bless you Chief and your family. One day you will all be together again. May your family find comfort in your kind and dedicated deeds that you so freely gave to others.
I will miss Clark. The short time I worked for him, he displayed a willingness to work with people. Clark listened to ideas with a degree of intrest not displayed by any other officer. Clark requested instead of ordering. You knew he would back you unless you were wrong.
He was the best Fair Fax County Fire Department had to offer.
I extend my sincere sympathy to the Martin family.
Kevin L Feik
Systems Testing
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue
(Retired)
I was blessed to know and work with Chief Martin as his Executive Assistant for Monroe County Fire Rescue. He and I had an instant connection, like kindred spirits, that only developed more solidly as time went on. We loved to come to work each day and tackle the issues at hand.
Clark was Monroe County Fire Rescue’s first Fire Chief and therefore faced many challenges associated with building the department from the ground up. He made great strides, breaking through political barriers along the way, and ultimately bringing standards and practices of the department to new levels. His ultimate weapon in facing these battles was his integrity. It shined through so strongly in him that whatever issue he was advocating was heard louder and weighed in heavier simply because he was the one supporting it. Even my dealings with other division and department heads were made easier because he had paved the way by getting to know them through meetings they had.
He was an honorable man and I was proud to work for him. Everyone mourns differently and I must say that while writing this message, tears were pouring down my face more than ever. Helen, Cassie, and Trey, my heart is filled for each of you with both joy and sorrow, joy for the time you have had with Clark as your husband and father, and then sorrow for you to lose him so young.
Goodbye Clark, I will never forget you.
Susan Hover
Executive Assistant to the Fire Chief
Monroe County Emergency Services
Miss you Clark…..
Hard to believe it has been 12 months that you are gone, a year went by so fast yet in ways it seemed like an eternity.
I know you have organized everything in heaven….and are buffing around the globe……lol
My solace is knowing that one day I'll be seeing you again……
Joe
Miss you Clark…..
Hard to believe it has been 12 months that you are gone, a year went by so fast yet in ways it seemed like an eternity.
I know you have organized everything in heaven….and are buffing around the globe……lol
My solace is knowing that one day I'll be seeing you again……
Joe
Miss you Clark…..
Hard to believe it has been 12 months that you are gone, a year went by so fast yet in ways it seemed like an eternity.
I know you have organized everything in heaven….and are buffing around the globe……lol
My solace is knowing that one day I'll be seeing you again……
Joe