Franklin, TN – Firefighters, friends, and family will gather on Wednesday, April 24 to celebrate the retirement of Franklin Fire Department Administrative Assistant Sally Bittner. The reception will take place at 2 p.m. in Franklin’s City Hall Training Room.

In her 12 years with the department, Mrs. Bittner, or “Ms. Sally” as many called her, has been one of two administrative assistants who have supported the entire department of more than 150 firefighters with a smile on her face.

Helpful, dependable, organized, diligent, proactive, sweet, and friendly are just a few of the words Mrs. Bittner’s coworkers use to describe her.

Mrs. Bittner was always available to help wherever needed, and kept things running smoothly and efficiently, even if it was simply to provide a kind word and a smile, a hug, or a listening ear. The firefighters presented Mrs. Bittner with the “Support employee of the year award” in 2006 and 2009.

Coincidentally Mrs. Bittner’s departure coincides with Administrative Professionals Week, when workplaces across the country “Honor the office professionals who make offices work.” Franklin Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek commended Mrs. Bittner for helping to make the fire department work.

“Her dependability, reliability and organization skills are outstanding. When members of the department had to travel she handled all of the details,” said Garzarek. “When it came to accounts payable Sally worked to make sure everything was processed quickly and accurately and that nothing fell behind. She kept our department going.”

He added, “We appreciate her years of service and dedication to this department and the citizens of Franklin. We will certainly miss her but we are also happy for her and congratulate her on her retirement.”

Mrs. Bittner was hired in 2001 by then Fire Chief Don Claiborne. She and her husband Dennis had moved to Franklin the previous year from Orange County, CA, to be close to their daughter and son-in-law following the birth of their first granddaughter.

Prior to joining the Franklin Fire Department Mrs. Bittner worked for the City of Dana Point, CA Public Works Department for five years, and the Auto Club of Southern California for 23 years prior to that.

Mrs. Bittner said, “I will miss the people I work with. It’s kind of like having an extended family.” She said the firefighters were there when her father passed away in 2012 and they helped her mother move to a new home following his death.

Mrs. Bittner and her husband are members of Fellowship Bible Church. They are looking forward to spending more time with family and travelling. They have a cruise planned to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek Islands. She also plans to become more involved in volunteer work.

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