Wayne Brashear Retiring After 22 Years at U of A

After serving as the U of A's first ever campus fire marshal for more than 22 years, Wayne Brashear is retiring.

Brashear arrived at the U of A in October 2003 after serving in the Rogers Fire Department, rising to the rank of deputy fire chief before coming to the Hill.

Prior to that, Brashear spent time at the fire station in Eureka Springs, where his father was fire chief, and in Siloam Springs.

Richard Ashworth, director of environmental health and safety at the U of A, commends Brashear for his unwavering support of campus for over 20 years.

"For over 22 years, Wayne has been the steady hand guiding fire safety at the University of Arkansas," Ashworth said. "As our campus fire marshal, he approached every challenge with decisive leadership and thoughtful care. Having worked alongside him nearly every day for the past nine years, I can say that his presence was a daily gift to our team. While we say he is irreplaceable, it is his lasting legacy of safety and professionalism that will truly never be replaced."

As fire marshal, Brashear held a wide range of responsibilities aimed at ensuring the safety and compliance of the U of A's facilities and personnel. These responsibilities included conducting inspections, coordinating with departments and colleges for event preparation and day-to-day precautions, and of course, emergency response.

Rick Williams, who works with Brashear in ENHS, has been friends with him since grade school. After taking opportunities in different areas, Williams and Brashear reconnected when they both landed at the Rogers Fire Department and have continued to be co-workers at the university.

Williams praised Brashear for his dedication to safety on campus and mentioned that he will miss his presence in the office.

Brashear said he worked with "some unbelievable people" at the U of A and is appreciative of his time as fire marshal. He said he plans to spend time with family in retirement and rest.