City of Wichita - History Fire Chiefs

Fire Chiefs

There have been thirteen fire chiefs since the Wichita Fire Department was founded in 1886. Our current fire chief is Ron Blackwell.

Ron Blackwell
2007 - present

Lawrence D. Garcia
1987 - 2007
Retired

James E. Sparr
1980 - 1987
Retired

Floyd E. Hobbs
1975 - 1980
Retired

Lawrence D. Carney
1968 - 1975
Retired

Thomas A. McGaughey
1961 - 1968
Died in line of duty

F. Elgin Wood
1949 - 1960
Retired

Clarence W. Brown
1944 - 1949
Died due to heart attack

Ira A. Martindale
1942 - 1943
Retired

P.M. "Doc" Wendel
1941 - 1942
Died due to accidental fall

H.H. McCall
1927 - 1941
Retired

A.S. Brownewell
1917 - 1927
Died due to illness

Albert G. Walden
1886 - 1917
Died due to illness

WFD History

Visit the Kansas Firefighters Museum located in historic Engine House No. 6
1300 S. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67211

		Ron Blackwell 2007 - present
Lawrence D. Garcia 1987 - 2007 Retired	James E. Sparr 1980 - 1987 Retired	Floyd E. Hobbs 1975 - 1980 Retired
Lawrence D. Carney 1968 - 1975 Retired	Thomas A. McGaughey 1961 - 1968 Died in line of duty	F. Elgin Wood 1949 - 1960 Retired
Clarence W. Brown 1944 - 1949 Died due to heart attack	Ira A. Martindale 1942 - 1943 Retired	P.M. "Doc" Wendel 1941 - 1942 Died due to accidental fall
H.H. McCall 1927 - 1941 Retired	A.S. Brownewell 1917 - 1927 Died due to illness	Albert G. Walden 1886 - 1917 Died due to illness