McKinney fire chief announces retirement; city plans search for replacement

McKinney Fire Chief Danny Kistner is retiring near the end of January, according to a news release from the city.

Kistner’s retirement was announced Jan. 3 and signifies the end of his 11-year tenure in the position. He has been with the city since 2011.

“We are sincerely grateful for the years of service Chief Kistner has given to this city,” McKinney City Manager Paul Grimes said in a statement. “He helped modernize and grow our fire department to a large, 11-station metropolitan department that is truly best in class. For that, he has much to be proud of, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Kistner noted various accomplishments during his time as chief in a message to the department. These accomplishments include growing the department's staff to nearly 250 full-time employees, adding three new fire stations, securing sites for two additional fire stations, and designing the new headquarters and logistics campus, according to the release. The department was also recognized as one of the Texas Best Practice Fire Departments during his tenure in the position.

Kistner also noted the department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was one of his proudest moments as fire chief. The response included providing personal protective equipment and over 18,000 COVID-19 tests to local and regional long-term care facilities and other agencies, assisting in decontamination services for city facilities and administering COVID-19 vaccinations to community members.

“At the height of the pandemic, the McKinney Fire Department, under the steady leadership and guidance of Chief Kistner, joined the effort to vaccinate the public because there was a deep need to get shots to our most vulnerable citizens as quickly as possible,” Mayor George Fuller said in a statement. “They administered more than 60,000 life-saving shots, giving countless people hope from the terrible disease. For that, and for his many other contributions to the community, we cannot thank him enough.”

Kistner’s last day will be Jan. 30, according to the news release. The city will conduct a nationwide search for a permanent replacement in the coming weeks.