Edmond chiefs find support in similarities, goals
In an odd twist of fate, new Edmond fire and police chiefs recently have assumed command of both respective departments in only a span of a few months.
Police Chief J.D. Younger and Fire Chief Chris Goodwin are settling into their new posts and using each other as a minisupport group. Their common goal is to make sure they deliver effective leadership in both high-profile public safety departments.
They have lots in common as both only recently have obtained a chief title neither one had before. Younger officially started May 1 and Goodwin Aug. 1. They’re both relatively young, with Younger, 47, and Goodwin, 51. The new chiefs also came from other departments. Younger was at Norman for 23 years, and Goodwin was at the Oklahoma City Fire Department for 24 years.
“I feel like I’m blessed to have the chief (Goodwin) here at about the same time as me and going through a similar experience,” Younger said, acknowledging he had never met Goodwin until this year.
Their first task is to get to know their respective departments thoroughly and do “trust building” among existing staff.
Both spent their first few weeks specifically getting acquainted with command post personnel.
Learning everyone’s name has been a challenge.
“Sometimes I have to check a pictorial directory we have,” Younger said.
The Edmond Police Department has 120 officers and 40 civilian personnel. The Edmond Fire Department has 125 personnel, Goodwin said.
‘Great working relationship’
And while some cities may see friendly and not-so-friendly rivalries between the departments, that doesn’t appear to be the case among the chiefs.
“We really have a great working relationship,” Goodwin said.
“Whenever we need anything from the police, like traffic control at a fire scene, they’re there and more than ready to help.”
Recently, Edmond joined with cities across the nation in marking the National Night Out. Traditionally, it’s a community event marked by one night to highlight police community awareness. This year, Younger invited Goodwin and the fire department to also be a part of the effort.
“We believed it was important for them to be there” he said. “They’re (firefighters) a part of first responders.”
Earlier this year, news conferences were held to announce the new hires. At both events, Edmond City Manager Larry Stevens had high praise for both departments but noted there was “always room for improvement.”
Both leaders translated Stevens’ remarks as a call for an ongoing review on how both departments can better serve the public without becoming too complacent.
They both believe being in Edmond gives them a chance to achieve career success and benefit from strong community support.
“The training facilities here are great,” Goodwin said about Fire Station No. 5 on W Covell. Younger agreed that it was Edmond’s commitment to law enforcement that attracted him to the post.
“I had a good job and home in Norman,” he said. “Yet, it was this opportunity in this community which drew me here. I really can’t stress that enough.”
Among the attractions for Younger is the city’s nearly $37 million safety center in downtown, which houses the Edmond Police Department, as well as emergency management and communications.
“I tell my friends in law enforcement that they probably don’t want to come see me because they will get a look at what a police department should actually look like, and they may leave depressed,” Younger said. He also praised the work of his predecessor, Bob Ricks, and the organizational groundwork Ricks set for the department.
“Chief Ricks is very respected among the public,” Younger said. Ricks had a 47-year law enforcement career and retired in February after 13 years as Edmond police chief. Goodwin succeeded Doug Hall, who also retired in March. Hall was named fire chief in 2015.
Unlike Younger, Goodwin lives in the Edmond area and at one time was an Edmond schoolteacher. As deputy chief in Oklahoma City, he had eyed the chief’s job at Oklahoma City, but he wasn’t eligible because of nepotism laws. He has two sons there who also are firefighters. When the opportunity to serve in Edmond opened up, he jumped at the chance.
“I’ve known about Edmond’s reputation for a long time and how this community backs police and fire,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone here, and I like talking to people.”
Goodwin and Younger are both expecting a long stay in their jobs and aren’t using their jobs as steppingstones to other posts.
“We are both willing to learn, and we look forward to some day having an article done on our 10th anniversary here,” Younger said.