Greensboro will lose two of its top public safety officials on the same day early next year.
Greensboro Fire Chief Jim Robinson and Guilford Metro 9-1-1 Director Melanie Jones have both announced their plans to retire Jan. 31, 2027.
Between them, Robinson and Jones have 69 years of public service.
Jones has spent 38 years in public safety. She began her career as a full-time deputy with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office in 1988 and joined the City of Greensboro in 1999 as a telecommunicator.
From there, she worked her way up through Guilford Metro 9-1-1, serving as assistant communications supervisor, senior communications supervisor, emergency communications operations manager and interim director before becoming director in 2015.
Jones also served as a reserve deputy with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office from 1999 to 2013.
During her tenure, Guilford Metro 9-1-1 has maintained accreditation for its emergency dispatch protocols for 18 years and accreditation for its training program for 12 years.
The department was also recently recognized by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch as an Accredited Center of Excellence in both Emergency Medical Dispatch and Emergency Fire Dispatch.
Jones said this week that her years in public safety taught her that the job is ultimately about being there for people when they need help the most.
“The people who trusted us, and the team who became family to me – that’s what made all of it worth it,” Jones said.
Robinson has served with the Greensboro Fire Department since 1995 and was promoted to fire chief in 2021.
Before becoming chief, Robinson served in several leadership positions in the department, including overseeing the emergency services branch and special operations division.
During his career, Robinson received several awards and honors, including Firefighter of the Year and a Medical Lifesaving Award.
He’s also a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the NC Fire Chiefs Association, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and the FM Fire Service Advisory Group.
Robinson said that serving Greensboro had been an honor.
“Greensboro is a special community that truly values and supports its fire department, and I have been fortunate to serve a community that stands behind its firefighters,” Robinson said.
Assistant City Manager Andrea Harrell thanked both Jones and Robinson for their years of service.
“Their leadership and advocacy for their respective organizations have elevated both our 911 operations and fire department to international recognition and the highest levels of respect,” Harrell said.
The city hasn’t said how replacements for Jones or Robinson will be selected.
Their retirements will leave Greensboro replacing the leaders of both Guilford Metro 9-1-1 and the Greensboro Fire Department at the same time.
