May 2006 -- Jerry Gardner was selected to fill the boots of Fire Chief. Kenneth Hawthorne had served as Acting Chief since the retirement of Henry Young in January 2006.
Gardner comes to Killeen from Pasadena, Texas, where he began his career in 1982. He worked his way up the ladder to be named Chief in 2002. His experience includes fire prevention, instruction, strategic planning, project management, and grant writing.
The city conducted the search internally through the Human Resources Department.
July 26, 2007 -- Killeen Fire Chief Jerry D. Gardner has been appointed 3rd Vice President in the Texas Fire Chiefs Association and nominated to move up to 2nd Vice President next year.
"I am very much looking forward getting active on the Executive Board and making a difference in not only the City of Killeen, but in fire service around the State," says Gardner.
The Texas Fire Chiefs Association is a not-for-profit corporation chartered in Texas on September 15, 1988. As a trade association, TFCA holds a 501(c)6 tax exemption designation from the Internal Revenue Service. The association was headquartered at the Texas Municipal League for nine years before establishing an independent office in 1997. TFCA remains an Affiliate of the Texas Municipal League and has grown to over 650 members.
The Texas Fire Chiefs Association believes in serving the citizens of Texas by actively participating in the advancement of the fire service through positive leadership, the sharing of information, and active legislative involvement, while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards.