Building a Premier Fire Department: Exceeding the Needs of the Community
Fire Chief Richard Kelley
The Oklahoma City Fire Department strives to be innovative and on the cutting edge of technology on how we provide services to the community. Our vision is to build a premiere organization that challenges the status quo and seeks opportunities to stay ahead of community needs. This requires collaboration with the residents of the community, stakeholders, civic groups, City leaders and dedicated fire department personnel. This presentation will walk you through the halls of the fire station and into the mind set of our organization as we discuss the culture of change within the fire department.
Oklahoma City Fire Chief Richard A. Kelley joined the Oklahoma City Fire Department in 1991 and was appointed Fire Chief in September 2017. He promoted through the ranks in suppression and also held the positions Special Operations Coordinator, Technical Rescue Station Officer, Ride-out Officer, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief of Support Services and Deputy Chief of Operations. He is a Fire Instructor Level II, EMT, HazMat Technician, Rescue Technician, Dive Team Member and OK-TF1 Task Force Leader.
Chief Kelley was an adjunct instructor for Eastern Oklahoma County Vo-Tech Fire Training Academy mentoring and training students for over a decade. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA) and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. Chief Kelley currently serves on the Board for the YMCA of Greater OKC, and Ex Officio Member of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum Board of Trustees and OSFA Museum Expansion Committee. Graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 37.
Chief Kelley has been recognized for many awards throughout his career, Captain/Major of the year in 2005 and Major of Special Operations in the Work Section of the Year in 2006.
Chief Kelley has degree in Municipal Fire Protection from Oklahoma State University. He has attended the National Fire Academy for multiple classes and completed the Oklahoma Executive Fire Officer Leadership Program in 2015.
Along with his wife Liz, Chief Kelley’s household includes daughters Mikayla, Johnna and Addison, and step-children Emily and Nick. He enjoys spending time with his family, spoiling his first granddaughter Karter Jae and physical fitness. He attends Life Church NW.
Dr. Michelle Keylon became Superintendent/CEO of Francis Tuttle Technology Center in July 2019. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Superintendent/COO and was responsible for the comprehensive leadership and of district administrative functions, including: instruction; business and industry services; facility management and development; information technology services; human resources; and campus safety.
Michelle has also served Francis Tuttle in positions such as Assistant Superintendent of Instruction; and Instructional Director for Information Technology programs.
Prior to her employment at Francis Tuttle, Michelle was State Program Administrator for the Business, Marketing, and Information Technology Education Division of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
Michelle holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from NorthCentral University, along with a Master of Science degree in Occupational and Adult Education from Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education – Business Professions from OSU.
She is a member of Rotary Club 29, Leadership Oklahoma City Class 37, Edmond Sister Cities Committee, Leadership Edmond Steering Committee, and the Oklahoma City Chamber Education Policy Committee