Mayor Vivian Flowers expressed her highest regards for Shauwn Howell, who recently retired as fire chief after more than 26 years of dedicated service to Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services.
In an exclusive interview with the Pine Bluff Commercial, Flowers thanked Chief Howell for his years of hard work and dedication.
Attempts to reach Howell were unsuccessful. During his time with the department, Howell emphasized the importance of public safety and the interconnection of the fire department with other emergency services.
“When you talk about public safety, the fire department is often an afterthought,” Howell stated in a previous interview. “The police department and the fire department are so interconnected but often times we’re not even thought about.”
Howell stressed that public safety is a network involving fire, police, emergency medical technicians and dispatchers, all working together.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Howell has also addressed the challenges faced by the fire department, including a lack of tools, equipment and personnel. He has championed the need for hand tools, ladder trucks, fire engines, fire station upgrades, and increased staffing. He also brought to the forefront that while the budget allows for 100 employees, the department would fall short due to difficulties in recruitment and retention, citing less-than-ideal salaries and benefits.
Flowers acknowledged Howell’s contributions and leadership throughout his tenure. Howell was an advocate for the firefighters and often communicated how the firefighters’ jobs were important in public safety. When their department is left out of the public conversation on public safety, he said, they feel that it is a disservice to them.
“He leaves a strong legacy to make sure the fire department receives the resources they need,” said Flowers. He set the standard for the firefighters to receive the certifications they needed to make the department stronger.”
Flowers said she wished Howell the best in his retirement and that an acting or interim chief will be named at a later date as the city begins the process of finding a new permanent chief.