Denison Fire Rescue's next chief is coming from inside the department. Assistant Chief Cheyenne Henderson is set to take over when Chief Kenneth Jacks retires, KTEN reported Thursday.
The city announced Jacks' retirement in late August. He has led the department for five years, and his last day is Oct. 23, according to the Herald Democrat's report on that announcement. KTEN said Jacks' career as a firefighter spans close to four decades.
A firefighting family
Henderson is the third generation of his family to fight fires, and relatives of his also served with Denison's department, according to KTEN.
He described Jacks as both a mentor and a friend. "Chief Jacks has been a great mentor, but an even better friend... that was the foundation," Henderson told the station. "That was: Know what's right; do what you say you're going to do; and be accountable."
Henderson said he intends to build on the department's standards and help his firefighters grow, on the job and off it. "I would like to see our department continuing developing each other into a better version of themselves, whether it's leadership, there's serving hearts, whatever it may be," he said.
Jacks looks back
Jacks told KTEN that what meant the most to him was knowing he played a part in keeping both residents and his own crews safe. Running a fire department, he said, is about more than answering calls; it means making sure crews are trained and led well enough to do the work and get home to their families.
