For almost 40 years Johnnie Roy Haynes has been employed in the service of the City of Louisville, and has chosen to retire from Louisville Fire Dept. where he held the rank of Fire Chief. Haynes, a Louisville native, one of 10 children born to Roy D. & Georgia May Haynes, is a 1974 graduate of Louisville High School, who began his career with the City of Louisville in 1978, as a mechanic with the Street Dept. Haynes remained at the Street Dept. until 1987 and during that time became a volunteer for Louisville Fire Dept. It was the experience of answering calls and helping those in need that caused him to consider full-time fire service, and when a full-time slot became available in 1990, he was able to fulfill that calling. Haynes said there was no thought of personal gain or benefit in making the decision, rather a call to service. In 1995, while still employed at LFD, Haynes began working for AutoZone where he is still employed, and at one point during that time drove a school bus and worked as a mechanic for Ray Wright, as well. In July 2009, following a personal tragedy, and with enough years of services, Haynes chose to retire, stating that he didn’t feel as if could perform his duties to the necessary standard any longer. He continued to work for AutoZone during this time. In 2013, after a shakeup at LFD, Haynes stated that within one week three Louisville aldermen spoke to him about returning to lead the Fire Dept. Soon after, Mayor Will Hill contacted him to let him know that the City was taking applications for the position of Fire Chief. After speaking with his wife, Aline, and being assured that no one within the department was seeking the job, he put his name in for consideration. He began his second stint with Louisville Fire Dept. on October 31, 2013. In the intervening years, Haynes has seen the Department move forward and improve in different ways, including personnel, training and equipment. One of the big accomplishments was taking the necessary steps to help lower Louisville’s fire rating to a 6, which should benefit home owners and business owners when it comes to insurance. Haynes was quick to point out that the progress and improvements were a team effort, and that they wouldn’t have happened without everyone working together. He plans to continue working with AutoZone for a while and then hopes to be able spend more time with his grandchildren. Haynes said, “I’m just glad the City of Louisville gave me the chance to be chief and I hope they continue to back the new chief as well as they have me.”
