Life of Service: Chief Banks

Chief Banks

Retired Fire Chief Served 42 Years with Fire Department

by Delaney Chidester

July 1 marked the end of Fire Chief John Banks’ 42-year career with the Bartlesville Fire Department. He looks back on his time with pride and gratitude.

Born in Bartlesville on July 20, 1956, Banks is the son of a Bartlesville native and a British woman. The two met and married during WWII, and decided to begin their new life together in the little community of Pruneville, west of Bartlesville in Osage County. Banks completed his early education at Osage Hills School before attending Central Junior High. He graduated from College High in 1974.

In 1979, Banks followed the suggestion of family member Rocky Banks and joined him in working for the Bartlesville Fire Department. Banks started as a firefighter and had a passion and aptitude for the job and worked his way up the ladder. In 1989, he was promoted to equipment operator, and in 2000 he was promoted to captain. In 2014, he began his time as fire chief, serving the community in that role for seven more years.

Banks has reason to be proud; he has done a lot for the community during his time with the fire department — but he humbly shares credit with the entire fire department. When asked what his greatest accomplishments were, he responded, “My time as chief was short compared to my long career, but we have made some great accomplishments for the community. The department has taken delivery of three new pumper trucks, a swift water rescue boat, and several support-type vehicles and safety equipment during my time as chief. We also have a new ladder platform pumper that will be bid this fall to replace a 1975 Snorkel truck. We were able to reduce the city’s ISO rating from a Class 3 to a Class 2 department, which puts us in the top 10 percent of the state.”

One of the biggest challenges of Banks’ career has been recent. He led the Fire Department through the COVID-19 pandemic and all of its unprecedented challenges. When asked about it, he did not hesitate to share credit. “... I am proud to say that during the struggles and everchanging circumstances over the last several months, all of us in city management never had anything but the best of intentions for everyone.”

When asked what his favorite things about being fire chief were, he didn’t bring up his awards and accolades. Instead, he talked about seeing how happy new recruits were when he gave them the news they had been chosen to be a firefighter, and also securing new equipment to help keep everyone safe. One of his favorite memories, he said, happened before becoming captain. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but being a senior firefighter and getting to help train and pass on firefighting skills to the rookies coming onto the department was what I enjoyed most. Taking the lead on the hose line and entering a structure fire, dragging the younger recruits behind you and showing them how it’s done — those were some of the most fun times working in the department.”

Banks is looking forward to taking it slow for a while. He and his wife are excited about traveling and relaxing this summer. He said after that he will see what comes next for him. Banks is also looking forward to time with his grandchildren, Banks, Rhett, Emma, Chandler, and Jackson, —and teaching them more about fishing and getting their hands dirty.

I believe I speak for all of Bartlesville when I say that we are extremely grateful for Banks’ dedication over the past 42 years. He has led the Bartlesville Fire Department with courage and dignity. Thank you for your service, Chief Banks.

New Bank, Familiar Faces