Arkadelphia fire chief resigns

Arkadelphia Fire Chief Jason Hunt is leaving his post for work at an as yet unnamed company in the private sector.

The 44-year-old fire chief’s resignation was made public late Tuesday in a press release from the City of Arkadelphia.

Hunt told arkadelphian.com that he accepted a position Monday, but didn’t say where he was going. “I was offered a position I can’t pass up,” Hunt said. His resignation is effective Friday, Jan. 12. Hunt was promoted to chief in 2019; he joined the Arkadelphia Fire Department two years earlier.

“Under his leadership, the City of Arkadelphia achieved its lowest ISO rating yet (3 awarded in 2023), and saved countless lives through new safety initiatives and protocols,” the city said in a press release. Hunt is also credited with leading the charge on the installation of the city’s new public safety communications tower and the completion of Fire Rescue 2, the city’s newest fire engine.

“Chief Hunt is a great visionary and works diligently to see a vision come true,” City Manager Gary Brinkley said. “His passion to see AFD become a strong and vibrant leader in the first responder community was achieved. We wish him all the best.”

Assistant Fire Chief Andy Neel will assume the role of Interim Chief while city officials conduct a nationwide search for a new leader within the fire department.