Eleven months after being appointed, on July 16, Chief Martindale announced his retirement from the department after having completed 42 years of service.

Once again a new Fire Chief was named, District Chief C.W. Brown took the reins of the department and retained Chief Wood as his Assistant.

Four months after becoming Chief, a fire occurred at a building belonging to Wichita University at 3rd and Topeka. During this fire, and while attempting to move a metal extension ladder, two men were killed and one seriously injured when the ladder came into contact with a high voltage line. Clint Grosvenor and Keith Fulton died at the scene.