News

New fire chief to look at call volume, staffing

Joe Vindigni was named Hendersonville fire chief in February 2016.

By Bill Moss, Published: February 16, 2016

Responding to firefighters’ concerns about increased call volume and staffing levels, new fire chief Joe Vindigni plans a full assessment of the call volume and a strategic plan for the fire service, the city says.

“Following two national searches and very comprehensive interview processes, I determined that the best fit for the Hendersonville Fire Department was Joe Vindigni,” City Manager John Connet said in a news release announcing his promotion of the 34-year-old interim chief. “What Joe lacks in age and direct management experience, he makes up for in hard work and dedication to the citizens and firefighters of Hendersonville. Joe has shown great maturity and leadership in the last nine months as interim fire chief.”

During the search process, the firefighters expressed the view that the new chief should focus on current staffing levels and an increase in call volume.
Connet authorized Vindigni to hire former Chapel Hill Fire Chief Dan Jones and former Asheville Fire Chief and current Office of State Fire Marshal Department of Insurance consultant Greg Grayson to help develop the strategic plan.
Vindigni, 34, began his fire service career as a volunteer with the Murfreesboro Fire Department in January 2000 at the age of 18. In July of 2002, he was hired by the Rocky Mount Fire Department where he served as a firefighter, senior firefighter, fire engineer, and fire captain over the span of 11 years. He was hired as Hendersonville’s deputy fire chief in March 2014 and was named interim fire chief last April 25.
He is currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University and taking courses towards a master of science in leadership degree with an emphasis in disaster preparedness and executive fire leadership. He has a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration from Grand Canyon University and an associate’s degree in emergency preparedness technology from Nash Community College and has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy.
Chief Vindigni lives in the Hendersonville area with his wife, Alysia, 11-year-old son Matthew and daughters Addison, 9, and Julianne, 6.