PULLMAN, Wash. — Pullman Fire Chief Mike Heston, who has served the Pullman community for over 40 years, has announced his retirement.
According to a press release from the City of Pullman, Heston will retire after 42 years of fire service in the community. In addition to being Pullman’s Fire Chief, he serves as the City of Pullman Emergency Manager, the Chair of the Whitman County Local Emergency Planning Commission, and as a member of the Northwest Interagency Incident Management Type 2 team.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Chief Heston for over 20 years,” said Francis Benjamin, Mayor of Pullman. “He has set himself apart through his thoughtful leadership, his service as a first responder, and the genuine care he has for our community. We are grateful for his service to the City of Pullman.”
Heston started his fire service career in Moses Lake’s Grant County Fire District 5 in 1981. He moved to Washington State University in the fall of 1983 and joined the WSU Fire Department as a student resident, then transitioned to a full-time Training Captain in 1985, a position he held for eleven years.
He then joined the City of Pullman Fire Department in 1996 as the Assistant Fire Chief of Operations, a position he held until he was appointed Fire Chief in 2013.
“I love Pullman and the atmosphere of a college town,” said Fire Chief Heston. “I had lots of opportunities to go work other places, but I never wanted to jump ship to go anywhere else. My kids were born and raised here—it’s a great place to raise a family. I look forward to staying involved in the community as I move into my next chapter.”
After retirement, Heston said that he intends to continue his work with the All Hazard Incident Management Teams, as well as his volunteer work as the District Chair of Scouting America and as an active member of the Lion’s Club. He’s also looking forward to having uninterrupted time for woodworking, bass fishing, boating, traveling with his wife, Debra, and spending time with family and friends.
