KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department Chief Gary A. Reese will step down next month roughly 18 months after ascending to the position.
Reese, a former KCFD division chief and 23-year veteran with the department, replaced former KCFD Chief Paul Berardi in March 2018.
He started with KCFD in March 1995 as a firefighter on Pumper No. 2, serving Kansas City’s west side.
Reese also served as a fire apparatus operator, fire captain and division chief in addition to serving as secretary/treasurer for the local union, International Association of Firefighters Local 42.
He said communication, curbing overtime and unifying the department were key goals after becoming the fire chief.
Reese received an associate’s degree in fire science from Penn Valley Community College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a master’s degree in business and managerial economics from UMKC.
Chief Reese's last day will be Sept. 7. An intermim chief will be appointed while a national search for a new chief takes place.
