Barrett Penny Named Garner Fire-Rescue's Next Chief

A highly respected and seasoned fire service leader with 27 years of comprehensive experience will become the next chief of the Garner Fire-Rescue Department.

Barrett Penny, who has been serving as the department’s interim chief since March 2025, has been selected to lead Garner Fire-Rescue following a national search. His appointment is effective Jan. 12 with a formal swearing-in ceremony to occur at the Jan. 20 Town Council meeting.

During his tenure as interim chief, he has overseen the finalization of Garner Fire-Rescue's merger with the Town, helping to ensure seamless transfer of assets, personnel and finances over to Garner’s municipal government. He leads a department of 89 staff with a current fiscal year budget of $12.1 million.

“The Town of Garner is very fortunate to have Chief Penny as our next fire chief,” Town Manager Jodi Miller said. “He has demonstrated his commitment and passion to Garner and the fire service over his past 27 years of service. His leadership skills, work ethic and love for the Fire-Rescue staff make him the right choice to lead the Fire-Rescue Department in the future.”

For Chief Penny, his new role represents the culmination of an impressive career serving his hometown and a nationally accredited fire-and-rescue agency that has grown and evolved to continue meeting the needs of Garner and the surrounding area within its service district.

"I am deeply honored to have been selected to serve as the next fire chief of our department," Chief Penny said. “As someone who was born and raised in Garner and has served in every rank within this organization, this opportunity is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”

Chief Penny started with Garner Fire-Rescue as a firefighter in 1998 before rising through the ranks as a lieutenant then captain. In 2011, he was promoted to battalion chief and served in that role until 2022 when he was elevated to assistant fire chief. As assistant chief, he supervised six battalion chiefs and led a staff of 78 personnel in emergency and daily operations.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside nearly every member of our department, witnessing firsthand the dedication, professionalism and pride that define who we are,” Chief Penny said. “Together, we’ve built a strong foundation of service, integrity and teamwork, values that will continue to guide us as we move forward.”

Chief Penny holds an associate’s degree from Columbia Southern University and is a level 3 fire officer with the state of North Carolina.

He is a member of the Wake County Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the North Carolina State Firefighters Association. He also serves as a representative on the Wake County Fire Commission.

In 2021, Chief Penny became the first member of Garner Fire-Rescue to earn the Medal of Valor. The recognition was for a swift-water rescue conducted while he was temporarily serving as operations chief for the Clayton Fire Department. He also received the Garner Local Heroes Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership and decision-making while commanding high-stress, complex emergency incidents.

“As we begin this next chapter, my commitment is to lead with transparency, collaboration and respect for our shared mission," Chief Penny said. “We are dedicated to protecting the lives and property of our community by building our future on the foundation of our past. The future of this department is bright, and I’m excited for all that we will continue to accomplish together."

To learn more about Garner-Fire Rescue, please visit its website main page.

Garner Police Department Selects Its Next Deputy Chief, Katherine Christian

The Garner Police Department is pleased to announce that Katherine Christian has been selected as the next deputy chief and will begin in her new position on Jan. 12.

Ms. Christian has served with the Cary Police Department for more than 18 years, most recently as a captain and the South District commander.

She began her career at the N.C. State University Police Department in 2005. With over two decades of policing experience, she has served in various roles as an officer, sergeant, lieutenant and captain.  

“We are excited to have Deputy Chief Christian coming aboard,” Garner Police Chief Chris Adams said. “She is an experienced, proven leader and a perfect fit for our department and the Garner community. She embodies our values of commitment, integrity and professionalism and holds to a policing style based on compassion and accountability.”

Ms. Christian has a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Walden University. She serves on the board of the local Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (ENC NOBLE), and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police (NCACP).

“I'm honored and humbled to step into the role of deputy chief with the Garner Police Department,” Ms. Christian said. “This opportunity comes with both excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. Working alongside Chief Adams, my commitment is to earn the confidence of this department and our community through intentional leadership and service by showing up with clarity, consistency and respect for everyone inside and outside of the agency. I'm grateful for the trust, grateful for the team, and ready to get to work.”

For more information about the Garner Police Department, please visit GarnerPD.org.