GCFD Chief Allen Shelton named 2018 Fire Chief of the Year

GARDEN CITY, KAN. — Garden City Fire Chief Allen Shelton has been named the 2018 Fire Chief of the Year by the Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs.

Shelton is in his 44th year with the Garden City Fire Department. Shelton began his career in September of 1975 as a volunteer firefighter. He was then promoted to volunteer assistant chief in April of 1978 and then to volunteer fire chief in March of 1982. He became the first paid Fire Chief of the Garden City Fire Department in February of 1984.

The Fire Department currently has 38 paid employees, including three battalion chiefs, a fire marshal, six lieutenants, 26 firefighters and an administrative assistant.

The Garden City Fire Department currently has two stations and the plan to add a third one is in the process with the hope of opening it in 2024.

“I am proud to see Chief Shelton being honored with this very prestigious award,” Garden City Mayor Roy Cessna said. “He has provided outstanding leadership over the many years of service that he has given to the City of Garden City and Finney County.”