New chief named to lead 80+ Kennewick firefighters and medics
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- Kennewick names Michael Heffner fire chief after city interviews four finalists.
- Heffner brings statewide emergency management, teaching and operational experience.
- Department plans station expansion, new engines in 2027, ladder truck in 2028.
Kennewick’s new fire chief is a familiar face in the department.
The city announced Interim Fire Chief Michael Heffner would step permanently into the role as the head of the department. The pick comes after the city interviewed four finalists, including Heffner, last week.
“Chief Heffner distinguished himself through the selection process,” City Manager Erin Erdman said in a release on Thursday. “Heffner consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to our fire department.”
Heffner, 53, joined the Kennewick Fire Department in 2021 as the deputy fire chief under former Chief Chad Michael. That followed a career in Oregon.
He worked as an assistant deputy state fire marshal for the state Office of the Fire Marshal. He oversaw several statewide emergency preparedness and response programs.
Earlier in his career, he served in a number of positions including firefighter, paramedic, hazardous materials technician, fire captain and training chief.
He’s also been an adjunct instructor a Columbia Basin College and an advisory board member for the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
He was drawn to the Tri-Cities because it’s always been a second home to him, he told the Tri-City Herald.
“My dad was born and raised on Gowen Avenue, just up the street from Richland’s Station 71, so this was always a place I spent summers and holidays and weddings and unfortunately funerals,” he told the Herald in mid-September. “The opportunity came up to make it a first home for myself and my family and it’s really been very rewarding ever since.”
The fire chief position pays between $174,000 and $223,000 a year, according to its 2025 salary schedule. His salary was not released Thursday.
The department has more than 80 employees at five fire stations in its 29-mile service area.
Heffner said the department is still looking at expansion, including plans for a new fire station in the growing Southridge neighborhoods. They also have three new fire engines coming into the department in 2027 and a ladder truck planned for 2028.
“An opportunity that we’re looking at here in early 2026 is increasing some staffing at two of our fire stations to ensure that we have both a fire engine and an ambulance staffed at those stations,” Heffner said.
Presently, those stations only house one crew who respond to both medical and fire calls.
“I am humbled and honored to be selected to step into the role as fire chief for such a professional team – Kennewick Fire Department is outstanding,” Heffner in a news release. “I am looking forward to engaging and supporting the team members who inspire me every day by modeling true honor, selflessness and competence.”
28 applications
Michael, who held the position since 2020, had planned to retire by the end of the year. The department had been working on a transition plan, but a change in his plans meant he needed to leave early in the summer, Erdman told the Herald.
Along with appointing Heffner to serve as the interim chief, they also hired Western Chiefs Association to lead a nationwide search for a replacement.
Erdman explained, along with looking for a new chief, it is likely the association would also help to pick a deputy chief to help lead the department.
They received 28 applicants for the chief’s spot, and narrowed it to four finalists.
Heffner officially starts as the new chief on Oct. 16.
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 6:37 PM with the headline "New chief named to lead 80+ Kennewick firefighters and medics."