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Pine Bluff Fire Department’s new Deputy Chief Ernest Jones addressed the City Council at Monday night’s Council meeting after being introduced by Fire Chief Shawn Howell. /Mike Adam
Lt. Ernest Jones, a 19-year veteran of Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services Department, was introduced as the department’s new deputy chief at Monday night’s city council meeting.
Jones previously served as the agency’s emergency management coordinator. In that post, he acquired more than $1 million in grants and disaster recovery funds for the city. He administrated the development of a citywide community operations plan that ensured procedures would be in place if city services are ever disrupted, according to Fire Chief Shauwn Howell.
Jones has also served as an assistant fire marshal, enforcing state fire prevention codes, a fire investigator and a community fire prevention/safety class instructor, Howell said.
Jones earned a bachelor of science degree in emergency administration and management from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and an associate degree in fire science from Southeast Arkansas College here. Additionally, he recently completed his second year in a four-year executive fire officer program at the National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, Md.
He is a certified emergency manager, fire and explosion investigator and a nati0nally registered emergency medical technician.
An Army and Arkansas National Guard veteran, he served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Howell described Jones as “a committed team player” who “leads by example” and serves his community both professionally and personally.
Jones, a son of Leroy and Cleo Jones of Pine Bluff, is married to Angela Wilkins Jones. Jones and his wife have three children — Aidan, Aila and Justin.
Jones told Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr. and council members that he appreciates the promotion and will strive to help the department “continue to improve.”