New Fire Chief, Kenneth Morgan has dedicated his life to the field of fire science and emergency services. Born in Carson City, Nevada, his journey began with a passion for firefighting, when he was a “chaser” at age 14. This passion was further fueled by his experiences as a firefighter, EMT and paramedic, where he has spent his entire career working to protect and serve the community.
His academic journey took him to Columbia Southern University, where he has been teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in fire science and EMS for the past fifteen years He also holds a doctorate from Cogswell Polytechnical College, which has enabled him to teach at a higher level and share his knowledge with the next generation of emergency service professionals.
Throughout his career, he has held roles in Carson City, the United States Air Force, and Clark County Fire Department (CCFD). His experiences as an Army brat, with a father in the National Guard who was also a volunteer firefighter, also played a significant role in shaping his career path.
He has worked in various locations, including Minot, ND, and Grand Forks, ND, where he served as an EMT and paramedic, respectively. His career in CCFD saw him rise through the ranks from engineer to captain, battalion chief, and eventually deputy chief. One of the most memorable moments of his career was rescuing a woman with severe burns from a fire on Karen Avenue in Las Vegas, while with the CCFD. Several years later, he attended a show on the Strip. She was a dancer for Siegfried and Roy, and they recognized each other from the event a few years before. It was heartwarming to see her fully recover and reunite with her family.
Reflecting on his first impressions of the Boulder City Fire Department, he sees some changes and challenges, including the need for more staff and resources to handle the increasing call volume. Budgetary issues also pose a significant challenge, but he is confident that with voter approval, he can secure the necessary funding for another station and upgraded equipment.
His goals as an administrator include continuing to develop a training facility for live fire training and fine tuning a master plan for all operations. He believes that with the right resources and support, BCFD can continue to provide excellent service to the community.
In his personal life, he enjoys hobbies such as trains and golf. He has been married to Dona for forty years, and has three children and six grandchildren His family has been a constant source of support and inspiration throughout his career.
