Mark Walker has spent his entire life in the firefighting business.

Walker has served as Chief at Plantersville Fire Department since 1990. He joined the Plantersville VFD in 1985 and served as Assistant Fire Chief during that time.

At the same time, Walker served as Assistant Fire Chief for the Selma Fire Department (SFD) for 31 years before retiring two years ago. He began working at the SFD in 1986.

Walker said he always found time to balance both fire departments.

“When I did shift work at SFD, I had two days off and then I volunteered at Plantersville VFD,” Walker said.

Walker said the promotion to assistant fire chief paved the way to do more volunteering.

“When I switched to working weekdays, I had nights and weekends to volunteer at Plantersville,” Walker said. “I juggled it pretty good. Others have done this, but I’m one of the first to do so on a regular basis.”

Walker said he loves being a firefighter.

“I do it because I love helping the community and I’ve always enjoyed it,” Walker said.

Walker, a 1984 graduate of Dallas County High School, never had trouble balancing his family lifewith being a firefighter. He and Lynn Walker have been married since 1988. She’s also a first responder. They have two children, Savannah and Spencer.

“The kids came along when I began working weekdays,” Walker said.