Government: Mayor picks Kansas man with more than 30 years firefighting experience to take top post
Idaho Press-Tribune
NAMPA -- Nampa has a new fire chief.
Mayor Tom Dale has named James Woydziak of Manhattan, Kan., to the top post in the Nampa Fire Department. Woydziak has served as director of fire services, the equivalent of fire chief, in Manhattan for five years.
The new chief's first day with Nampa will be July 18.
"Jim's level of experience and enthusiasm will be a positive asset as we move forward with fire and emergency medical services in the City of Nampa," Dale said. "I'm very excited about his desire to come to work with us."
City council members addressed the mayor's appointment during a pre-council session of Monday's regular meeting.
In accepting the position, Woydziak told Nampa officials he was excited about the opportunity to work in Nampa.
"I'm very impressed with the community, beautiful neighborhoods and viable downtown," he said in a prepared statement released by the city. "I look forward to working together with the firefighters, chief officers and administration."
After six years as Nampa's fire chief, Ron Anderson resigned this spring to head the fire department in his hometown of Meridian.
With 30 full-time firefighters in Meridian compared to 60 in Nampa, Anderson left for a smaller department in a smaller city, but noted that both communities are growing rapidly.
Woydziak is president of the Kansas Professional Fire Chiefs Association and holds memberships in the National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
The new Nampa chief has more than 30 years of firefighting experience, previously serving as fire chief in Emporia, Kan., for 10 years, fire chief in Moline, Ill., for six years, and was the training officer in the Lawrence, Kan., fire department for six years.
Woydziak was also a firefighter with the U.S. Air Force for six years and taught at the U.S. Air Force Fire School for two years prior to his discharge.
He holds an associate's degree from Cowley County Community College and earned a bachelor's degree in public safety administration from Washburn University.
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