Chief Payne joined the Gainesville Fire Department on July 11, 2011 as the Division Chief of Fire Prevention.
Chief Payne started his career in July 1990 as a firefighter in The United States Navy. After his four-year enlistment, he became a volunteer firefighter with Gilmer County Fire Department and later became a certified Emergency Medical Technician (
EMT-Paramedic), and worked both fields of Emergency Medical Services (
EMS) and fire for Union General Hospital, Lumpkin County
EMS and Gilmer County Fire Department.
In July 1999, he started his career with Hall County Fire Services working for twelve years in several areas as Firefighter, Paramedic, Fire Inspector and Fire Investigator. He is also P.O.S.T. certified and has been a Reserve Hall County Deputy since November 2009.