CITY OF LEXINGTON: Jarrett Appointed As Fire Chief

By Press release submission

Oct 10, 2018

City of Lexington issued the following announcement on Oct. 8.

City Manager Alan Carson has appointed T. Paul Jarrett as Fire Chief effective October 15, 2018. Mr. Jarrett will assume the position that was vacated by the retirement of Fire Chief Phillip Hartley. Mr. Jarrett has been serving in the interim fire chief position since June 1, 2018.

Mr. Jarrett, a 28 year veteran with the Lexington Fire Department currently serves as Shift Commander II, a position he has held since 2013. Mr. Jarrett was hired in 1990 as a Firefighter I. Mr. Jarrett was promoted eight times rising through the ranks every two to five years culminating in the second highest ranking in the Lexington Fire Department.

Mr. Jarrett received his Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Service Administration from Fayetteville State University. Mr. Jarrett is also a 2018 graduate of the 170 hour Municipal Administration course at the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Professionally, he has achieved multiple certifications as a Fire Officer and in various disciplines of Rescue, Inspections, Life Safety, as well as Emergency Management with the US Department of Homeland Security FEMA.

Most recently in his accomplished career with the City of Lexington, Paul Jarrett’s leadership was instrumental in Lexington Fire Department receiving an upgraded Fire District Rating from 3 to 2 by the NC Department of Insurance Office of State Marshal. Additionally, Chief Jarrett served as Incident Commander for the massive fire at Dixie Furniture (LFI Plant 1), which occurred on December 19, 2017, and was recorded as one of the largest fires in the history of Lexington threatening the Uptown Business District.

Mr. Jarrett is a member of Heath Church, Lexington City Schools Business Advisory Council, Davidson County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Holly Grove Volunteer Fire Department, NC Association of Fire Chiefs, NC State Firefighters’ Association, NC Association of Rescue & EMS, and the International Association of Firefighters.

Mr. Jarrett resides in Lexington with his wife Nita and has three children, Kayla Smith (Zach), Noah and Sierra Jarrett.

Mr. Jarrett will be sworn in as Fire Chief on Monday, October 15, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in the Vernon G. Price, Jr. City Council Chamber, City Hall, 28 West Center Street, Lexington, North Carolina.

Original source can be found here.