Larry Garcia had 32 years with the department when he was appointed as chief. His rise to the top took a different path than most of his predecessors, but his leadership abilities must have been readily apparent.

Garcia left the "floor" as a firefighter early in his career and became a junior commissioned officer with the Wichita Fire Department's dispatching organization. He would eventually become the chief officer of that unit. He remained at that position until the fire dispatching duties were consolidated at a central location within the County Courthouse.

Larry would next assume a role in the training division and at that position he became a liasion officer between the city and the minority community. He officially became the department's E.E.O. (Equal Employment Opportunity) Officer. As in the dispatching unit Larry Garcia again became the chief officer of his unit.

His abilities were not only recognized within the department but by the city leaders as well. This recognition was expressed in a statement to the press by City Manager Chris Cherches, "While serving as the interim chief, Larry Garcia has proven himself as a dedicated leader in the department and is respected by his peers and throughout the community as a quality fire professional."

After taking over at the helm of the Wichita Fire Department, Chief Garcia stated his goals would be the reduction of loss of life and property from fires, and improvements in the handling of hazardous materials.

Some of the most prominent events that have occurred during the administration of Chief Garcia include:

• The opening of the Police/Fire facility at 350 S. Edgemoor. This facility was developed as a result of the required relocation of Fire Station #9 (formerly at Kellogg & Dellrose) and the need for a Police sub-station on the east side of the city.

• The relocation of the Hazardous Material Response Team from Station #10 (17th & Grove) to Station #3 (3261 N. Broadway).

• The establishment of a Rescue Team and its assignment to Fire Station #4 (Martinson & Douglas). This team provides water rescue/recovery as well as "high angle" and "confined space" rescue/recovery capabilities.

• The relocation of Fire Station #16 from Central & Caddy to 1631 N. Tyler., construction is to be completed in 1993.

• Construction of a new Fire Station #17 at 10651 W. Maple. This facility was completed in November 1992.

• Replacement of the antiquated radio and alerting system. The new 800 Trunking Radio System was officially, totally activated on April 3, 1992.

• Replacement of the department's computer network. This complete hardware replacement comes after nearly eight years service for the original hardware.

This list does not encompass all of the significant events and activities that has occurred since Larry Garcia has assumed the position of Fire Chief. In the brief span from October 1987 to date there were a number of retirements that has changed almost all of the department's Division Directors, Deputy Chief of Operations Walt Campbell retired and was succeeded by M.L. Rudd. The Deputy Chief of Administration Floyd Crawford retired and was succeeded by John G. Bode. The Fire Marshal, Jim L. Cloud retired and was succeeded by Ronald D. Blackwell.

It is Chief Garcia's wish that we all remember the loss of our brother and fellow firefighter C.C. Killingsworth. His life was lost during a tragic fire on the eve of the new year of 1988.