Lexington Fire Department Chief Jason Wells is retiring, Mayor Linda Gorton announced Monday.

Wells will have served 31 years with the fire department, including six as chief, when he retires Jan. 10, 2027. He was hired as the 19th fire chief of the department in January 2021, replacing the city’s first female fire chief, Kristin Chilton.

At a press conference on Monday, Wells said he feels blessed to have the career he had.

“I’ve been able to go to work, never have the same day twice, and really contribute to our community,” Wells said.

Gorton said her administration will immediately begin searching for the next chief, with the goal of making a hire in early December.

“Jason has done an incredible job for this city, making it a safer place to live,” Gorton said. “He is leaving a department that has expanded its mission and has grown with the city. He has been great to work with, and we will miss him.”

Wells held every rank in the fire department before becoming chief, including assistant chief of prevention and preparedness. He is the son of Jim Wells, who served 27 years with the fire department before retiring as a battalion chief.

Wells was promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic and directed the department, which also operates the city’s ambulance service, through the pandemic.

Wells, Gorton highlight accomplishments in the last five years

Gorton said the fire department has made several advances under Wells’ leadership. Since 2021, the fire department has grown from 597 to 635 firefighters, reduced response times while responding to more calls, implemented a station alerting system and added a 13th emergency medical vehicle to the department.

Wells also helped create a whole blood administration program that allows officials to give blood-transfusions on scene. He said the program is “actively saving lives.”

Wells added that one of his proudest accomplishments is getting accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. At the time of accreditation on Feb. 27, 2024, the department was one of seven fire departments in the U.S. to be accredited by CFAI, achieve a class I ranking from the Insurance Services Organization and be accredited in EMS education through the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

“He sought that out because he knew how good our fire department is,” Gorton said. “They prepared for this, they worked for this and it was awarded. It’s a big deal.”

The fire department also partnered with Safe Haven Baby Box to install a baby box at Lexington Fire Station No. 2. A Safe Haven Baby Box provides a safe and anonymous opportunity for parents to surrender a newborn baby if they cannot care for it.

The department has added several new fire trucks to its stations, including most recently on Sept. 14 when three engines were added to three stations across the city.

Wells said none of the department’s accomplishments belong to him, but instead the entire department.

“A chief does not usually respond to the midnight structure fire or treat a critical patient in the back of an ambulance,” Wells said. “Every single one of these accomplishments was made possible because (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government) leadership had the political-will to support them, and the members of the Lexington Fire Department had the operational dedication to execute them.”

What’s next for Wells?

Wells will still be involved in the fire chief’s daily operations until his retirement Jan. 10, and plans to work with the new chief for about a month to ensure a smooth transition.

“Over the next several months we’ll just work hard with the administration to solidify what’s going on and make sure that there is a smooth transition with the new administration,” Wells said.

Wells originally planned to work for the fire department for 30 years, but stayed an extra year because he still enjoyed his job. However, Wells said he believed now was the time to allow the next generation to lead the department.

“His folks, they adore him as a leader because they know he will be true to them and their mission,” Gorton said. “It’s really hard to lose a chief like this, but he has certainly done his duty for 31 years when he retires in January. We’re so thankful for that.”

Wells thanked his family, Gorton and all the leaders within the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for supporting him during his career. He also thanked the community for trusting him during his tenure as chief.

“Protecting this city has been a sacred duty, and I have never taken that trust for granted,” Wells said.

Wells said doesn’t know what he will do after he retires, but he hopes to stay involved in public safety at some level.

What is Gorton looking for in the next fire chief?

Gorton said her administration will spend 6 to 8 weeks processing applications and conducting interviews with the goal of announcing a new chief Dec. 8. She said she does not anticipate hiring an outside candidate, as she believes one of the “excellent candidates” from the fire department will get the job.

“I think we have so many good possibilities in our own fire department that probably it will be an internal search first,” Gorton said. “I can’t imagine we won’t find a really exceptional person.”

Gorton said she is looking for someone who has a depth of knowledge of the fire department and someone who firefighters will believe in.

“What I’m looking for is someone who understands the fire department through and through, who is respected by the firefighters and the folks who will work for that person, someone who is ethical, whose honest, who will do the right thing for the community,” Gorton said.

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