James Wiggs went to work for the Odessa Fire Department on October 1st, 1959. He was promoted to Captain on September 1st, 1970, then on his 17th year on the department James Wiggs was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief. Then after 29 years he was appointed by City Manager Bill Brown to be the 7th Fire Chief of the Odessa Fire Department. The City Manager said Wiggs has earned the Chief's position, and he's achieved that goal by his own efforts and work.     
    

Fire Chief James Wiggs's starting pay as Fire Chief was  $49,212 a year. He was responsible for a 6 Million dollar budget and 182 personnel including firefighters, investigators, dispatchers, and secretaries.

    Fire Chief James Wiggs retired in December of 1995.