Chief Chad Michael became the 14th Chief of the Kennewick Fire Department on March 16, 2020.  In the role of Fire Chief, he reports directly to the City Manager.  Chief Michael is responsible for providing leadership, planning, directing, and controlling all aspects of the 98 personnel fire department.  He works collaboratively with his direct reports to ensure the department delivers exceptional emergency and non-emergency services to the residents, business owners, and visitors of the City of Kennewick.   

Chief Michael began his firefighting career in 1992 as a resident firefighter with Spokane County Fire District #8 and was hired by the same department in 1996 as a career firefighter.  Chief Michael has enjoyed a diverse career with a few different fire departments in various roles.  Since 2008, Chief Michael has served at the executive level as the Deputy Chief of Training and Operations, Acting Fire Chief, Deputy Chief of Support Services, and Deputy Chief of Operations. Immediately before joining the Kennewick Fire Department, Chief Michael served as the Deputy Chief of Operations with the Vancouver Fire Department.

Chief Michael earned an Associate’s degree in Fire Science from Spokane Community College, and an Associate’s degree in Fire Command from Spokane Community College. He graduated from Whitworth College with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management, and obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington. In 2016, Chief Michael completed the Executive Fire Officer Program offered through the National Fire Academy located in Emmitsburg, Maryland.