Randy Compton has been appointed Pine Bluff fire chief, nearly nine months after he began serving in that position on an interim basis.
Compton’s tenure as permanent chief will begin Thursday. He will formally be sworn in at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 2906 E. Harding Ave., sharing a ceremony with new Police Chief Shawn Davis.
Compton emerged from a list of 35 applicants. The list was provided to The Commercial via an Arkansas Freedom of Information Act request.
Compton, a 1984 graduate of Watson Chapel High School, has more than 30 years of service to the city and a proven record of leadership within the Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services Department, according to a city news release sent late Tuesday. He has 14 years of experience in leadership and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
He has held positions including firefighter, engineer, assistant training officer, assistant fire marshal and interim fire chief. He held the latter role since April 7.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Throughout his tenure, Chief Compton has demonstrated a strong commitment to fire prevention and community engagement,” the news release reads. “He has worked collaboratively with federal, state and county public safety partners, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Arkansas State Police.”
Mayor Vivian Flowers fulfilled a vow she made following Davis’ appointment as police chief to name a new fire chief before New Year’s Day. Compton succeeds Shauwn Howell, who retired April 2 after 26 years in the department.
“Chief Compton’s deep experience, steady leadership and lifelong commitment to the safety of our residents make him the right choice to lead the Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services Department,” Flowers said in the news release. “I am confident that under his leadership, the department will continue to strengthen its service to our community and uphold the highest standards of public safety.”