Kansas City Fire Chief Donna Lake to retire after 30-year career with KCFD

Kansas City Fire Chief Donna Lake announced Tuesday that she would retire after leading the fire department for the past three years.

Lake, a 30-year veteran of the department, will remain at the helm until Jan. 27. An interim chief is to be selected and a search for a more permanent replacement will begin over the coming weeks, city officials said Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement, Lake said her time with the department has brought her “great joy,” and expressed pride in the accomplishments she oversaw during her three years as chief.

“There are just no words to describe how proud I am of how much we’ve grown as a premier emergency medical and fire suppression service in this time,” Lake said.

Lake has led KCFD since November 2019. She was appointed to the position by then-City Manager Troy Schule.

Lake was the first woman to lead the fire department in Kansas City history. Her career at KCFD prior to the top spot included work as the assistant fire chief, a job she began in 2014.

Lake joined the department in 1992 after she earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Missouri. Over the course of her career, Lake has worked in the training academy, served as the hazardous materials unit battalion chief, special operations deputy fire chief and later, assistant chief responsible for fleet services.

In her time as chief, Lake pointed to advancements in workplace diversity and equity and the creation of a community paramedicine program as being among her proudest accomplishments.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said Lake has shown incredible leadership, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As the first woman to lead the Department, Chief Lake is a trailblazer and inspiration for women, showing them, they too can aspire to lead in public safety,” Lucas said in a statement. “During the pandemic and after, Chief Lake worked to find solutions for better representation, recruitment, and retention, and ensured our firefighters are taken care of to best serve our community.”

City Manager Brian Platt said the department has made tremendous improvements toward serving residents and supporting firefighters under Lake’s leadership. He also said city officials plan to pursue a national search to find a replacement for the top job.

“We are forever grateful for her service and dedication to our city,” Platt said.