MEDIA RELEASE
To: Media & City Departments
From: Jeff Porter, City Manager
Date: March 7, 2025
Re: City of Wellington Announces James Winham as Fire Chief/EMS Director
The City of Wellington is pleased to announce James Winham as its new Fire Chief/Emergency Medical Services Director. Winham will begin in the role on March 19, 2025.
"We appreciate Mr. Winham's excitement about joining our team," said City Manager Jeff Porter. "Chief Winham's years of experience and knowledge working in both metropolitan and rural communities will be a tremendous asset to our community."
Winham joins Wellington after two years as the Fire/EMS Chief of Torrance County, New Mexico.
Winham has a long history in firefighting and emergency medical services, including over 18 years in staff and officer roles with the City of Tulsa Fire Department. Winham held various leadership positions in the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), Oklahoma's largest pre-hospital emergency medical care provider. EMSA is a public trust entity serving the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro area residents.
In addition to serving his community, Winham serves his country as a commissioned officer in the National Guard. Winham holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Science-Fire Executive Leadership-Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University.
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