Office of Public Information and Community EngagementBattalion Chief:
Matthew Westover
Deputy Chief Samuel Jones - Deputy Chief of Operations
Deputy Chief Samuel Jones joined the Charlotte Fire Department in1989. He was promoted to the rank of Fire Captain on January 8, 2005 as a Relief Captain and later assigned to Ladder 1. He was reassigned to the training academy and spent over 4 years training recruits and facilitating in-service training for the department. He also was assigned to Station 8 for 3 years until his promotion to the rank of Battalion Chief in 2016. Chief Jones served as the Battalion 4 Chief until his promotion to Deputy Chief on November 10, 2018.
Deputy Chief Jones has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business from Bluefield State College in West Virginia. He is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Chief Jones is responsible for overseeing Charlotte Fire Department Operations which includes 42 fire stations, rescue services, dive operations, hazardous materials, airport rescue & firefighting operations for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This also includes coordinating, planning, organizing and directing all phases of Charlotte Fire Department operations with the Fire Chief.
He is leading the department with honor, integrity and professionalism. Through his mentorship, firefighters have achieved opportunities in advancement through the ranks.
He maintains cohesiveness within the department and manage successful diversity recruitment campaigns within the department.
Chief Jones has been married to Tina for 32 years and they have three children, sons Samuel Jr, Christopher and his daughter Taylor.
Deputy Chief Cynthia Bonham - Deputy Chief of Business Administration
Cindy Bonham is the Deputy Chief of Business Administration with the Charlotte Fire Department. She has been with the department for 26 years. Prior to Deputy Chief, Chief Bonham was the Health and Safety Officer for the department where she was instrumental in the development of the Cancer Task Force and Behavioral Health Program. Chief Bonham has been extensively involved with fire accreditation serving both the Charlotte Fire Department as the Assistant Accreditation Manager from 2000-2005 and the Accreditation Manager from 2005-2010.
She is a team leader, technical advisor, and technical reviewer for the Center for Public Safety Excellence and has been involved with the Center since 1999. Chief Bonham has been a member of the Safety, Health, and Survival Section of the IAFC since its inception. Chief Bonham has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Philosophy from University of North Carolina Charlotte and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from University of North Carolina Pembroke. She has been a designated Chief Fire Officer since 2005.
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