Described as a hands-on boss who did a lot to improve the department former Rome-Floyd County Fire Chief Carl Green, 81, passed away early Tuesday morning at his home in Rome.

A veteran who served in Korea, Green joined the fire department in October of 1955 and worked his way through the ranks to become Chief on Nov. 9, 1988, and retired two years later in 1990.

Green is remembered for setting the tone for the future of the fire department, said current Chief Gordon Henderson.

“He cared about the department and he cared about the people in the department,” Henderson said. “He wanted you to learn what you needed to do to make sure you went home at the end of your shift.”

Fire Department Division Chief for Administration Curt Pierson said Green was a hands-on chief.

“He didn’t spend a lot of time in his office,” Pierson said. “He liked to keep his finger on the pulse of the department and stayed out and was real active with the guys.”

Green brought his military training to the fire department and would be present any time department training was taking place, Pierson said.

“If we did (training exercises) at night, which was required by ISO as well, you’d get a phone call and it may be two in the morning and Chief Green would be there. He didn’t pass the buck,” Pierson said.

Retired Rome Police Chief Hubert Smith said he worked in public safety with Green for close to three decades.

“He did a lot to improve the fire services in Rome and Floyd County,” Smith said, “Carl was the type of person that you knew right up front where you stood with him.”

When Green retired in the fall of 1990, he told city officials that he felt like he had been married to the fire department 24 hours a day. After retiring, Green and his wife, Catherine, moved to the Cedar Buff area where they lived for many years before returning to Rome as his health began to decline.

The Fire Training Center at 168 North Avenue was dedicated in June of 2009 to Green and the two chiefs that served before and after him - Raymond Smith and Bobby McKenzie.

The family will receive friends at the Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, 3002 Maple Road, on Wednesday night from 5 to 8 p.m., and services are scheduled in the chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home on Thursday at 2 p.m. Interment will take place in Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.