Farmers Branch Fire Chief Kyle King is a dedicated Christian

by Minnie Payne

FARMERS BRANCH — Kyle King, 54-year-old City of Farmers Branch Fire Chief, isn’t afraid to talk about Christianity and his association with The Gideons International.

“Kyle introduced me to The Gideons International five or six years ago, said Gideon Camp President Dennis Duniven. “He is very Godly and a fantastic leader of men.

“The fact that he can do all his church work and find time to be fire chief is amazing. He’s the kind of guy who at 2 or 3 a.m. would be willing to help you.”

King grew up in Carnegie, Okla., a town of about 1,800 people, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Protection and Safety Technology from Oklahoma State University in 1975, beginning employment with the Farmers Branch Fire Department in 1976 as a lieutenant fire inspector in the Fire Prevention Division. He was promoted to Captain – Fire Protection Technician in 1979, Fire Marshal in 1981 and Deputy Chief of Training in 1985. He became fire chief in 1991.

“My parents owned a service station when I was growing up, and I worked in the service station,” said King. “When I was at Oklahoma State University, I worked in the Maintenance Department which was a step up.”

King’s father was volunteer fire chief for the Carnegie Fire Department and one of the professors from Oklahoma State University conducted fire classes for his department.

“I had been going to college for two and a half years at Southwestern State University and had no real direction as to what career to choose,” King said. “My father suggested that I study firefighting at Oklahoma State University.”

King said that in 1976 Farmers Branch was experiencing a lot of growth and planning to build a lot of high-rise buildings. The Farmers Branch Fire Chief sent a letter to Oklahoma State University, requesting an applicant for a lieutenant fire inspector position in the Fire Prevention Division. King came down and the fire chief hired him, starting a 31-year career.

“Even though I’ve actually never lived in the firehouse, I’m a certified firefighter and have been involved in some dangerous situations,” he said.

King recalls a huge tanker fire on Valley View Lane that could have exploded any moment. He was trying to evacuate people in the surrounding area and was in extreme danger. Another incident was when he was fighting an under-construction apartment complex fire. Flames were overtop and he and another fireman were in a breezeway, trying to cut the fire off. He commented to the fireman with him that they were in real danger. The fireman responded, “Just keep your head down.”

He said that his days as fire chief are very administrative oriented. His mornings begin with action-packed e-mails and phone messages. He works closely with Homeland Security and spends a lot of time planning and training. He is also responsible for all finances of the department and signs off on all purchases and requisitions.

“I attend a lot of meetings at city hall and the fire department,” he said. “At the present time, we are constructing a new fire station and administration building, and I get four or five calls a day about moving that project forward.”

He also makes public appearances if needed and works with personnel issues for the 55 firefighters and 10 staff people.

“I look out for long-range planning and goals, as well as objectives for the department,” he said.

According to King, he sees some of the firemen every day and has shift meetings twice a year. Ronnie Inman, Deputy Chief of Operations, is actually over the firefighters and sees them more often.

“None of the people are ever here at the same time,” he said. “We can’t get all of them together without paying overtime.”

He said that he enjoys his job because he is able to repay the City of Farmers Branch for some of the blessings he has received.

“I enjoy knowing that what we do has such a significant impact on the community,” he said. “I also like being able to help the firefighters and paramedics have the equipment and resources they need to do their job properly.”

He dislikes any type of disciplinary action.

“We have been blessed with dedicated, hard-working firemen, and I really don’t like correcting people,” he said. “I expect someone to come in and do their job, and it’s always disappointing when I have to correct.”

King said that he likes to hunt and fish, as well as traveling and spending time with his wife. He also very much likes church activities and is a Chaplain with The Gideons International, spending a lot of time in its ministries.

“I’m Chaplain for the Dallas North Camp and lead prayer time every Saturday at 7 a.m., as well as a Bible group of men on Mondays at noon,” he said. “We do sidewalk Bible distributions at 18 schools, middle, high school and college, a year.”

King is a member of First Baptist Church in Carrollton and lives in Farmers Branch with his wife Debra; they have two daughters, Jennifer and Jordon.