Note: I received a tip about Chief Lanyon from a source inside the city. I started asking the city spokeswoman about the investigation, but she cited the city’s policy of not discussing personnel matters. However, my persistence paid off when she called me and confirmed that there was an investigation and that the chief had decided to resign. I had the story before anyone else and I have my source and my dogged determination to thank for that.
Smyrna Fire Chief Resigns Amid Internal Investigation
Sept. 10, 2013
The City of Smyrna‘s fire chief and emergency management director has resigned, Patch has learned.
According to Community Relations Director Jennifer Bennett, Jason Lanyon resigned on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Bennett said Lanyon’s resignation was effective immediately. Lanyon had held the top post at the Smyrna Fire Department since July, 2004.
Bennett also confirmed Tuesday that an ongoing internal investigation, which Patch learned about last week, had been focused on Lanyon before his resignation.
The city was unable to confirm whether or not the investigation will continue in light of Lanyon’s resignation. Patch has reached out to the Smyrna Police Department hoping to confirm the nature of the investigation and whether or not it will continue.
Stay with Patch as we learn more about this developing story.
Note: I then covered the hiring and firing of the next fire chief, a woman named Paige Day. Below are some articles I wrote about that process.
Smyrna Fire Chief Hiring Process Underway
Sept. 27, 2013
The City of Smyrna has officially begun searching for a permanent replacement for Smyrna Fire Department Chief and Emergency Management Director Jason Lanyon, who resigned earlier this month during an internal investigation into possible violations of city policy.
The new chief and director, whether it be acting chief Roy Acree, another person from the department, or an external hire, will be responsible for 76 certified firefighters covering a population of some 51,000 residents and a yearly operating budget of some $4.8 million, according to the job description on the city’s website.
Candidates must have a history of outside-the-box thinking, be committed to training, and be prepared to be the face of the department during public events.
Further requirements include:
• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Fire Science, Fire Administration or other closely related field from an accredited college or university;
• Minimum six (6) years previous experience and/or training that includes progressively responsible fire administration, command level management supervision, and all aspects of fire services;
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Must possess and maintain valid NPQ Fire Officer IV certification. Provision of basic/advanced emergency medical care requires possession of valid First Aid, CPR, Emergency Medical Technician, or Paramedic certification as appropriate for level of care provided.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with appropriate endorsement.
Candidates must also be prepared to submit to a criminal and credit background checks, a medical exam, and a drug test.
If you are interested in applying for this position, you must begin the process by submitting your resume and a cover letter through the city’s website. The deadline to apply is Oct. 11 at 5:00 p.m.
City of Smyrna Picks Woman Finalist for Fire Chief
Nov. 27, 2013
The sole finalist for the position of fire chief for the City of Smyrna is remarkable in a number of ways.
The finalist, who will begin work on Jan. 6, 2014 pending City Council approval, is pursuing a doctorate of education in organizational leadership. The finalist rose through the ranks over a 15 year career in the fire service, making it from a rookie EMT in 1998 to captain in 2005 and assistant chief in 2011. The finalist is a published author; the book “Fading Scars” was published in 2010 and deals with traumatic brain injury.
The finalist is also a woman.
Paige Day, most recently the assistant fire chief in Missouri City, TX, was named the sole finalist from the pool of 50 applicants seeking to replace former chief Jason Lanyon, who resigned during an internal investigation probing alleged violations of city policy.
Day was named the sole finalist for the position in an announcement made by the city on Wednesday. City spokesperson Jennifer Bennett told Patch that although Day would be the first female fire chief in Smyrna’s history, her gender was not a factor in her selection.
According to an article written about Day by Grand Canyon University in Arizona, Day is working on a dissertation called “The Lived Experience of Women as Career Firefighters in Mentorship” and plans to graduate with her doctorate in October. It is not known if her new position will change her education plans.
Before her appointment as Missouri City’s assistant fire chief, Day had spent time as a hazard mitigation specialist with the federal government and had served as the battalion chief with the Raytheon Company’s fire department in Tucson, AZ.
Day is 46 and the mother of three children, two of whom are grown and serving in the United States Army.
Councilman: New Fire Chief “Unique and Driven Leader”
Dec. 17, 2013
The City of Smyrna’s new fire chief received praise from an elected official during Monday evening’s Smyrna City Council meeting after formally being voted in to the position.
Paige Day, most recently the assistant fire chief in Missouri City, TX, was named the sole finalist for the position after an evaluation and interview process which saw 50 candidates narrowed down to 14 and then five finalists.
The finalists, who included interim fire chief Roy Acree, were subjected to tests and interviews during a weekend session. All performed admirably, but Councilman Ron Fennel said that Day won out because of her dedication and called her a “unique and driven leader.”
Day came to firefighting late in life, but in a 10 year period has earned two associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and will soon earn a doctorate in organizational leadership. She went from being a rookie EMT in 1998 to captain in 2005 and assistant chief in 2011.
On the home front, Day has two sons in the military, a daughter who will soon attend Campbell High School, and a husband who is suffering from traumatic brain injury as the result of a motorcycle accident. Day has written a book about her experiences with her husband’s injury called “Fading Scars.”
“And still, through all of this, she has been a leader and has continued to be driven, focused and motivated to be a great paramedic and firefighter, plus earned her degrees, wrote a book, managed a family and wrote a blog,” Fennel said.
“I think you will all see that Smyrna has a great new leader in our community.”
City Council Decides Fate of Fire Chief Monday
Sept. 8, 2014
Paige Day, the first female fire chief in Smyrna’s history, could be fired on Monday night by the city council.
City officials have remained quiet on the specific reason Day was relieved of duty in July, citing personnel reasons. The city has announced that a hearing determining whether or not Day’s employment can be terminated is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Smyrna City Hall.
Day was hired in December, 2013 following the resignation of former fire chief Jason Lanyon amid an internal investigation for violations of city policy. Day was chosen from a field of 50 applicants to serve as the city’s fire chief. She served as the assistant fire chief in Missouri City, TX prior to being chosen as Smyrna’s fire chief.
Before her appointment as Missouri City’s assistant fire chief, Day had spent time as a hazard mitigation specialist with the federal government and had served as the battalion chief with the Raytheon Company’s fire department in Tucson, AZ.
Day rose through the ranks over a 15 year career in the fire service, making it from a rookie EMT in 1998 to captain in 2005 and assistant chief in 2011. She is also a published author; her book “Fading Scars” was published in 2010 and deals with traumatic brain injury and how it has affected her family. She was called a ” unique and driven leader” by Councilman Ron Fennel when she was first hired.
Roy Acree, who served as Acting Fire Chief between Lanyon’s resignation and Day’s hiring, has again assumed the role.