Administration

Chief Twiner is certified as a Swift Water Rescue Technician, Confined Space Technician, Rope Rescue Technician, Rescue Diver, and Helicopter Search and Rescue Technician. In 2009, Chief Twiner was instrumental in Gainesville Fire-Rescue becoming a statewide resource as a water rescue asset for Texas Task Force 1 in College Station. In 2011, he was selected as a Rescue Swimmer on a Helicopter Search and Rescue Team with Texas Task Force 1 in cooperation with Texas Military Forces as a deployable asset during responses to natural disasters involving water related events. In 2015, he and his crew received the Higgins and Langley Swiftwater Rescue Incident Valor Award and Chief Twiner received the Sikorsky Aircraft Rescue Award.  

Chief Twiner was instrumental in the implementation of the department’s Stop, Drop, and Read program as well as the FARM program (Firemen as Role Models). Both programs involve firefighters spending time in the local schools, encouraging education and mentoring elementary school children.

Chief Twiner is a Leadership Gainesville Alumni, Gainesville University Alumni, graduate of the City of Gainesville Leadership Academy, and Lean Six Sigma White Belt. 

Jason James - Assistant Fire Chief /Asst. Emergency Management Coordinator

201 Santa Fe
Gainesville, TX 76240
940.668.7777 Ext. 5732
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Assistant Chief Jason James began his career with Gainesville Fire-Rescue as a Firefighter in 2002. Chief James promoted through the ranks to Lieutenant in 2007, Captain in 2013, Division Chief of Training and Public Education in 2014, and to Assistant Fire Chief/Asst. Emergency Management Coordinator in 2018.

A graduate of Collin County Fire Academy, Chief James holds certification as a Master Firefighter, Fire Instructor II, Fire Officer IV, Fire Inspector, and Incident Safety Officer.

Chief James is active with the department’s specialty rescue teams and is certified as a Swift Water Rescue Technician, Confined Space Rescue Technician, Rope Rescue Technician, Dive Rescue Technician and is a member of the department’s Swift Water Rescue Team.

As Training Officer, Chief James has overseen the department’s special operations teams including high-rescue, dive team, and the Swift Water Rescue Team as part of Texas Task Force 1.

Chief James created the FARM program (Firemen as Role Models) and was instrumental in the implementation of the department’s Stop, Drop, and Read program. Both programs involve firefighters spending time in the local schools, encouraging education and mentoring elementary school children. As Public Education Chief, he collaborated with Zodiac Seats US to secure the $10,000 donation of a fire-prevention robot for educating young children. Chief James has also served as a member of the Site Base Committee for GISD.

Chief James is a Gainesville University Alumni, graduate of the City of Gainesville Leadership Academy and Leadership Gainesville & is a Lean Six Sigma White Belt. He is a designated leader in the City of Gainesville.

Chief James holds a Bachelor Degree in Emergency Management from the University of North Texas.

Jeffrey Stevens Division Chief: Training & Fire Prevention

201 Santa Fe
Gainesville, TX 76240
940-668-7777 Ext. 5734
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Division Chief Jeffrey Stevens attended Texas A &M Commerce and began his fire-service career as a Firefighter in 2003 with Gainesville Fire-Rescue. Chief Stevens promoted through the ranks to Lieutenant in 2007, Captain in 2009, Fire Inspector in 2015, and Division Chief/Training & Fire Prevention in 2018. A graduate of Texas A&M Fire Academy, Chief Stevens holds certification as a Master Firefighter, Fire Instructor II, Fire Officer IV, Fire Inspector, Infectious Disease and Control Officer, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Instructor III and Fire Investigator.

Chief Stevens is certified as a Rope Rescue Technician and will oversee the department’s training and special operations teams including high-angle rescue, and the Swift Water Rescue Team as part of Texas Task Force 1.

Chief Stevens is a Gainesville University Alumni, graduate of the City of Gainesville Leadership Academy and & is a Lean Six Sigma White Belt. Chief Stevens is a designated Leader in the City of Gainesville.

As Fire Inspector, Jeffrey has developed an extraordinary relationship with the public, including local businesses and schools. He is member of the Fire Prevention Council and will continue to enhance the department’s Public Education program.

Chief Stevens graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Tarrant County Junior College; He graduated Cum Laude from from the University of North Texas with a degree in Emergency Administration & Planning.

Shannon Jeffcoat Division Chief: Fire Marshal

201 Santa Fe
Gainesville, TX 76240
940.668.7777 Ext. 5737
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Division Chief Shannon Jeffcoat started his career with Gainesville Fire-Rescue in 2012 as a Firefighter. He promoted quickly through the ranks to Driver/Engineer in 2013, Lieutenant in 2015, and to Fire Marshal in 2018.

Chief Jeffcoat holds certifications as a Advanced Structural Firefighter, EMT, Fire Inspector, Driver/Operator, Fire Officer, Hazmat Technician, Fire Instructor and Fire Investigator.

Chief Jeffcoat earned an Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Tarrant County College in 2018. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Emergency Management/Fire Administration at West Texas A&M.

He has been a member of the Texas Task Force 1 Swift Water Rescue Team with multiple deployments to large scale flooding events including Hurricane Harvey. He holds certifications as a Swift Water Technician II, Boat Operator.

Chief Jeffcoat has been heavily involved in the FARM program (Fireman as Role Models), Youth Fire Setter Intervention and Prevention, Vertical Rescue Team, Stop Drop & Read, and has been a fixture in the Flame-Out Clowns as “Skidmark”.

Alan Bryan: Fire Inspector

201 Santa Fe
Gainesville, TX 76240
940.668.7777 Ext. 5735
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Fire Inspector Alan Bryan began his career as a volunteer in 1992 and was hired as a full-time Firefighter is 1995. Chief Bryan promoted through the ranks from Driver/Engineer to Lieutenant in 2001, Battalion Chief of B shift in 2009, and to the position of Fire Inspector in 2018.

A graduate of Kilgore College Fire Academy, Class # 21 in 1995, Chief Bryan holds certification as a Master Firefighter, Fire Instructor II, Fire Inspector II, Fire Officer III and Fire Investigator with the Texas Fire Commission on Fire Protection.

He is also certified an an Emergency Medical Technician with the Texas Department of Health.

Chief Bryan is a Gainesville University Alumni and a designated Leader in the City of Gainesville. He was a member of the Fire Prevention Program and performed with the Fire Clowns throughout Cooke County. He continues to serve as a mentor with the Firefighters’ as Role Models (F.A.R.M.) program in the local schools.

Chief Bryan works working directly with the public to ensure fire safety.

Tamara Sieger: Administrative Assistant/Emergency Management Officer

201 Santa Fe
Gainesville, TX 76240
940.668.7777 Ext. 5731
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Tamara Sieger began her career with the City of Gainesville in 1990. She has spent her entire career specializing in Public Safety Communications, Fire Administration and Emergency Management.

Tamara earned an Associate of Arts and Science from North Central Texas College in 1997. In 2000, she graduated Cum Laude from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. 

Tamara earned the highest level of emergency management professional certification through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She has worked multiple disasters in Gainesville, including many which were federally declared.

Tamara has received a City of Gainesville Customer Service Award and received the City of Gainesville Employee of the Month Awards in 2009 & 2015. Tamara also earned the GFR ’Life Saving Award’ for Outstanding efforts that resulted in the saving of a life of one of our own." 

Tamara is a Chamber of Commerce Leadership Gainesville Alumni, Gainesville University Alumni, graduate of the City of Gainesville Leadership Academy, and & is a Lean Six Sigma White Belt. Tamara is a designated Leader in the City of Gainesville. She has served on numerous committees including the CAD/RMS selection committee, software advisory committee, branding committee, & Public Safety Team. Tamara also coordinates the department blood drives, special events and serves as the department’s Public Information OffDone Editingicer.