BOULDER CITY – Following a nationwide search, Kenneth Morgan has been selected as the new Fire Chief for Boulder City. He starts with the City on August 4. If the name is familiar, Chief Morgan spent 23 years with the Clark County Fire Department before being hired as Fire Chief in Meriden, Connecticut in 2013. He held that position for 11 years and is widely recognized for his expertise in administrative leadership of local fire and emergency response operations.
Chief Morgan has over 40 years in the fire service, having risen through the ranks and serving in the positions of Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and Chief. Before leaving CCFD, he served as Chief of Operations and has more than 15 years of management experience in fire service. He’s been a nationally registered paramedic for 40 years.
“The extensive candidate review process included members of the City’s executive team, professional fire and emergency response personnel from other Southern Nevada communities, and members of the Boulder City community,” said Ned Thomas, City Manager. “It was a very tight competition between the top candidates. Chief Morgan’s decades of experience in Clark County and as a local Fire Chief and department administrator stood out to me as especially beneficial for the Department.”
Incoming Chief Morgan holds a PhD in business and public administration from Northcentral University in Prescott, Arizona, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Morgan’s credentials and experience include:
- Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program from the National Fire Academy
- Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Center for Professional Excellence
- Adjunct professor of Fire Science at the University of New Haven (CT)
- Task Force Leader on Nevada Taskforce 1 (FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team)
Morgan looks forward to Boulder City’s charm and small-town feel. “As a close-knit community, it presents different challenges for a Fire Chief. Its managed growth allows for thoughtful planning and better preparation to meet future demands,” Morgan said. “I practice an adaptive leadership style because I believe no single approach fits every situation. I value the participative elements of leadership, drawing on the creativity and experience of department members. Involving them in decision-making helps shape the direction of the department, especially during times of inevitable change.”
Chief Morgan replaces former Chief Will Gray, who left the department in April 2024. Since then, Deputy Chief Greg Chesser has been serving as Acting Chief. “I have great appreciation for Acting Chief Chesser, who has provided strong leadership and dedicated effort over the past 16 months,” Thomas said. “I am grateful that he has expressed his commitment to helping Chief Morgan transition smoothly into the culture and community of Boulder City.”
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