Oklahoma City Fire Department Swears In New Chief

Derrick Kiel becomes the 22nd fire chief and the first Black leader in the department's history.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a municipal fire station facade, representing the leadership change in the Oklahoma City Fire Department. — Derrick Kiel was sworn in as the 22nd fire chief of the Oklahoma City Fire Department, becoming the first Black leader in its history. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Oklahoma City Fire Department officially swore in Derrick Kiel as its 22nd fire chief. Kiel is the first Black individual to serve as the permanent fire chief for the city.

Why it matters

The appointment marks a significant milestone for the city's leadership landscape as Kiel takes the helm of the department. He succeeds Richard Kelley, who has retired from the role.

The department currently operates on a $225 million budget. Kiel steps into the role following a 27-year tenure that began in 1999.

The players

Derrick Kiel

He is the newly sworn 22nd fire chief of Oklahoma City and the first Black person to hold the position.

Richard Kelley

He is the former fire chief of the Oklahoma City Fire Department whose recent retirement led to this leadership transition.

The details

Prior to his promotion, Kiel served as the deputy chief of Support Services and Logistics. He is now responsible for overseeing operations across four distinct departmental branches.

Derrick Kiel began his fire department career on March 19, 1999.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on the morning of October 28, 2026.

Market Landscape

Kiel's appointment represents a significant evolution in the municipal leadership structure of Oklahoma City. This shift reflects broader efforts to diversify executive roles across local government agencies compared to historical succession patterns.

Residents can expect the department to continue its standard operations under the new leadership of Chief Kiel. The transition is administrative and does not impact emergency service response protocols or local utility access.

The takeaway

Kiel assumes command of the department with nearly three decades of internal experience. This appointment underscores a shift toward greater representation in the city's highest-ranking public safety roles.