CITY OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
FIRE DEPARTMENT

December 18, 2017

Open Letter to All Fire Department Personnel

It is with mixed emotions that after more than three decades serving with you in this fine
organization that i am announcing my retirement as Fire Chief, effective December 20, 2017. it
has been a distinct honor to serve alongside you and a great privilege to be called Chief of the
Kansas City Kansas Fire Department for the past ten plus years.

The is stronger than ever with the motivation and fortitude to serve. We have achieved
a great deal together to advance in the areas of safety, training, strategy and tactics, EMS,
equipment and technology, communications, along with fire prevention and community
education, but it is the bond of trust that comes from depending on one another through good
times and bad that makes us who we are and strengthens this culture of service. it is what gives
our efforts meaning and value.

The has a storied tradition of excellence and aggressive dedication to duty for our
community, often in the face of adversity and tragedy. This selfless dedication and courage of
team members who continue to respond each time the bell sounds is what gives the
department its true worth. Our work in Fire Suppression/Fire-Based EMS binds us together like
few professions can. It must be said that as difficult as all of those emergency incidents can be,
we have also struggled ?together? for this department to maintain the resources that enable us
to serve our citizens in the manner in which they expect and deserve. i appreciate the strong
Labor/Management relationship within our department that will continue to serve the 
well into the future.

I sincerely thank each of you in every division of the from my fellow Command Officers,
Firefighters and Dispatchers, to the Prevention, Shop and Property, and Office Staff. Thank you
for allowing me to serve as your Chief. have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to
be part of the have loved every minute of it. i would also like to thank my family, we all
know too well the sacrifices that families make associated with the duty of Firefighters.

Kansas City, Kansas has been my home for a life time which has given my career added meaning
and substance. have had great mentors and have been blessed to be able to mentor others
with the experience and knowledge gained by those who came before us. i have served shoulder
to shoulder with some of the finest people and the best ?refighters who never hesitated to
answer the bell and give it their all, whether it be for fire or EMS or virtually anything else that
would help someone in need. It is the people who make up a great Fire Department and
community, and the has within it, the best people that this world has to offer. 1 have been
truly blessed by the friendships, the camaraderie, the trust and loyalty that makes us who we
are.

While i look forward to spending more time with my family, i will always treasure the days where
i was a part of being involved in what can only be described as ?the greatest job in the world."

Thank you again for your support and sincere efforts in being what i truly believe to be, the best
fire department in the country, serving the finest community of people. i am proud to say that
the city is well protected by fine men and women of dedication and courage. The future is bright
for our department as you go forward and serve with excellence. i feel good knowing that serving
the community is in your hands.

I wish each and every one of you the very best that life has to offer and hope and pray that God
may watch over you and protect you and your families. -

 

John Pauliones, Fire Chief