Jeffrey Owens serves as the Assistant Chief of Prevention for the Ozark Fire Protection District, a role he earned in 2022 after joining the district as a Lieutenant in 2019. In his current position, he oversees Public Education, Fire Inspections, Pre-Planning, Inventory Records, Records Management, and other essential duties.

Chief Owens began his fire service career in 1998 as a volunteer firefighter with the City of Monett Fire Department before being hired full-time in 1999. Over the years, he served as a firefighter/engineer and, in 2012, took on fire code enforcement responsibilities, a role he held until 2021.

Committed to continuous education and professional development, Chief Owens earned an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Crowder College in 2014, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University in 2018, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He is a member of the Order of the Sword and Shield Honor Society and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Fire Executive Leadership with an emphasis on Human Resource Management through Columbia Southern University. In 2023, he earned the Fire Marshal designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Beyond his duties with the Ozark Fire Protection District, Chief Owens serves on the Board of Directors for the Fire Marshals Association of Missouri, representing the southern region of the state (excluding Springfield/Branson, Kansas City, and St. Louis). He has held this position since 2018. Additionally, he is a respected instructor for the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, teaching and evaluating certification classes across the state, and is recognized as a subject matter expert in Inspector, Driver Operator, and Instructor certifications.

Chief Owens and his wife, Darcy, reside in the area with their family, which includes three adult children and one teenager.