Payne retired on Jan. 7, 2018, but the city reappointed him to the position for two years to help with succession planning and grooming the next leaders.
Payne was hired Jan. 23, 1989, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1996.
Payne was promoted to captain in 2002, assistant chief in 2008 and director and fire chief in February 2014.
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City officials and commissioners said Payne led the city through one of the most challenging years in the city’s history in 2019, and he was a strong leader who played a key role in a variety of important initiatives.
“You did a great job here last year, and I can understand why you are ready to leave,” said Dayton City Commissioner Chris Shaw, referencing the tragedies of last year. “You will be missed.”
Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph said Payne was a skilled and patient educator who provided valuable service to the city.
“You’re tough, you are pleasant to talk to, you care about your people, and I don’t think there’s enough of those type of people around,” he said.
Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein said Payne was a strong advocate for improving the health and wellness of firefighters and EMTs, and he was a driving force behind the city’s wellness and fitness initiative, which focuses on improving staff’s quality of life.
“We have been very blessed for 31 years to have someone of Jeff’s leadership, intelligence and quite honestly character,” Dickstein said.
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Dickstein said Payne helped develop a succession plan that leaves the fire department in good shape.
She is expected to name Lykins the new chief on Friday.
Payne said members of the fire department have become some of his best friends and he’s proud of his work.
He said his favorite part of being fire chief was, “to come in and make a difference everyday, or at least try to, and I think I did that.”
Asked what he wouldn’t miss, Payne’s answer was concise: “2019.”
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