By Carolyn Roy
carolyn@natchitohestimes.com
Mayor Lee Posey announced at the City Council meeting Monday that John Wynn will be the new fire chief. Saying only that his previous choice, Kenny Penrod, had decided to stay with the fire department in his current position, Posey announced that Wynn will be sworn in at the Jan. 22 City Council meeting. “I’m excited and nervous, all at the same time,” Wynn said Tuesday morning.
He has been in the Natchitoches Fire Dept. for 22 years and started his firefighting career as a volunteer before joining NFD in 1995-96. “Chief is what you strive for in your career. I want to be a good leader. I want to move the department forward and have the best possible fire service.”
Wynn is a graduate of Florien High School and attended Northwestern State College before pursuing a career in offshore drilling. His grandfather was a 50-year volunteer fireman and his uncle was a captain in the Shreveport Fire Department. Wynn’s wife is the former Tonya Trichel. They have one son, John Wesley Wynn, who is a detective in the Natchitoches Police Dept., and a step-daughter, Summer.
Wynn is also employed by the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS but will end that job before he takes over as chief Jan. 22.
