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Dewayne Rose named interim Fire Chief

Dewayne Rose named interim Fire Chief

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Assistant Chief tapped to helm WMFD following loss of Dennis Brewer

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

Mayor Marco McClendon tapped Assistant Fire Chief Dewayne Rose to fill the role as Interim Chief in the wake of the passing of chief Dennis Brewer. The mayor had endured a tumultuous week with the death of two department heads. He made the announcement public at the the first City Council Meeting in June.

McClendon acknowledged the interim appointment came during a ‘difficult time of transition’.

“I am confident Chief Rose will take this opportunity to make additional advances ,innovations and reforms to improve the culture within the department left by Chief Brewer,” said McClendon. “Chief Rose has been an invaluable part of the leadership team that has led the department with integrity since being appointed Assistant Fire Chief in January 2019.”

The latest appointment marked another step in a career of progressive responsibilities for Rose at the West Memphis Fire Department.

Rose started his career with the West Memphis Fire Department in December of 2000. His first

See ROSE, page A2

ROSE ROSE

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promotion came five years later as a driver. He earned the rank of lieutenant in 2008. Rose was appointed Division Chief in 2013. He was promoted to assistant chief by the late Chief Brewer in January 2019.

Rose’s service reflected leadership in state wide fire service. He is a past secretary/ treasurer and former vice president of the Arkansas Fire Marshal’s Association. Rose was serving his first term as a commissioner of the Arkansas State Fire Prevention Commission.

Rose planned on wearing two hats filling the office responsibilities for both the chief and the assistant chief. He acknowledged in a letter posted at each fire station that the appointment in no way indicated a permanent appointment. Rose acknowledged the work the mayor must take in considering Brewer’s permanent replacement in an open letter to fire department personnel.

“I will also ask you to keep Mayor McClendon in your prayers over the next several weeks he makes a decision to appoint a leader for our department,” wrote Rose.

Rose is married to August Rose. They have four children together, Jaden, Julia, Gavin and Gates.

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