Press release from the city of Hendersonville:
City Manager, John Connet, is pleased to announce the hiring of Joe Vindigni as the next Hendersonville Fire Chief. Chief Vindigni was selected after two very comprehensive national searches. Joe has served as the Interim Fire Chief since April 2015 and was Deputy Chief prior to Chief Dorian Flowers’ departure.
City Manager John Connet stated, “Following two national searches and very comprehensive interview processes, I determined that the best fit for the Hendersonville Fire Department was Joe Vindigni. 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. I am very pleased with my decision. Joe has shown great maturity and leadership in the last nine months as Interim Fire Chief.”
One of the first tasks for the new Fire Chief is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and departmental philosophy for the Fire Department. During the search process, the firefighters were very clear that they wanted a Fire Chief that would address their concerns about current staffing levels and the increase in call volume. In addition, concerns were raised about differing philosophies within the department. Therefore, the full assessment of these concerns will be the number one task of the new Fire Chief. Chief Vindigni has committed to working with the firefighters to develop “the Hendersonville Way” departmental philosophy. City Manager Connet has authorized Chief Vindigni to engage the services of 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 assist with the development of the strategic plan. These two gentlemen will work with the department and community to develop a comprehensive plan for the Hendersonville Fire Department.
Chief Vindigni 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 in the capacity of Firefighter, Senior Firefighter, Fire Engineer, and Fire Captain over the span of 11 years. He was hired as the Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Hendersonville Fire Department on March 3, 2014 and named Interim Fire Chief on April 25, 2015.
Chief Vindigni is currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University’s and taking courses towards a Master of Science in Leadership degree with an emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Executive Fire Leadership. He currently 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. In December of 2014, he completed the Executive Fire Officer Program with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy (NFA).
Chief Vindigni lives in the Hendersonville area with his wife: Alysia; Son: Matthew, age 11; Daughters: Addison, age 9 and Julianne, age 6.
For more information or to reach Chief Vindigni his email is jvindigni@hvlnc.gov or you may call 828-697-3024.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.