Fire Chief Pat Wilkins retires after 27 years

Pullman Fire Chief Pat Wilkins, who has headed the department for 27 years, announced his retirement last week, and Mayor Glenn Johnson appointed Operations Chief Mike Heston as the acting fire chief.

Wilkins’ retirement will be effective Aug. 9, and Heston will begin duties as alternate chief Aug. 10.

Mayor Johnson said the process of selecting a new chief will begin in a few weeks with the intent of having a permanent chief on duty after the start of next year.

Wilkins, who served on the department for 40 years, worked on improving the city’s fire rating to class 4 from class 5 which resulted in lower fire insurance premiums. He also was a leader in establishing a paramedic program and assumption of emergency medical services and fire services for the university when WSU decided to dissolve its fire department.

Wilkins worked on getting voter approval for the creation of an EMS levy that the voters later made a permanent EMS levy. He helped on a levy that added three additional firefighters/paramedics and three additional police officers. He also worked on funding agreements with WSU, rural fire districts, other communities and Pullman Regional Hospital. One of those agreements with WSU jointly funded the pumper-ladder truck that was delivered in 2004.

Wilkins served on the executive board for Whitcom and was a member of the Washington Fire Chiefs Association. He was also involved in Rotary, Pullman Cougar Club, Shriners and the Salvation Army.