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Virginia Fire Services Board
Kenneth L. Jones
Newport News Fire Chief, Kenneth Jones, began his career in the fire service when he was 22 years old as a volunteer in North Hillsborough, Florida while attending the University of South Florida, majoring in geography. After receiving his bachelor-of-science degree, he moved to Alexandria and began working for the railroad in the logistics section. However, he missed the fire service and a career that gave him the ability to help people. So in 1971, Chief Jones joined the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
The young Firefighter/EMT worked his way up the chain of command and served in various management capacities and fire service areas including safety, administration, recruitment, and field operations. Prior to joining the Newport News Fire Department in September 2001, Chief Jones served as the Deputy Fire Chief of Training at Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Since becoming fire chief for Newport News Fire Department, Chief Jones has guided the department through many changes. Under his direction, the department has undergone a major transformation to redistribute personnel to meet the growing needs of the community and the fire department. The department continues to evolve and is currently going through a Strategic Planning Process with full involvement from all employees.
Chief Jones’ focus on safety for all personnel has resulted in the purchase of new personal protective equipment for 350 firefighter/medics. The fire chief initiated a new compressed air foam system that improves firefighting capabilities and increases safety while reducing collateral water damage to structures. He also spearheaded a groundbreaking partnership with Northrop Grumman Newport News to obtain the 45 ft. Fireboat Carl Brashear. This acquisition helps the department to give vital support to national defense by providing front line maritime firefighting, dive, search, and rescue capabilities.
Prior to Chief Jones’ arrival, plans for a new training facility and fire station 5 had already begun. Chief Jones picked up the torch and has helped to re-design the Training Bureau to use new methods to deliver training. This streamlined process helps to reduce the cost of training and puts trained firefighter/medics in the stations in a shorter period of time.
Although Chief Jones has more than 34 years of experience in the fire service, he has not rested on his laurels. He can often be found responding to fire calls in the middle of the night and still possesses the enthusiasm and drive of a 22 year-old Firefighter-EMT who lives to help others in their greatest time of need.
