Kingfisher will eventually have a new fire department.

It will have a new fire chief sooner.

City commissioners on Monday approved a recommendation to promote Ryan Gibson as the new chief.

Currently a captain with the department, Gibson will officially take over March 29 when current Chief Tony Stewart plans to retire.

Monday’s move was recommended by City Manager Jim Thomas, who interviewed both Gibson and fellow Capt. Richard Butts when considering Stewart’s successor.

Thomas told commissioners that both were quality candidates and he ultimately went with Gibson because he had all the qualifications he sought in a chief.

His recommendation was approved unanimously by Mayor Geoff Covalt and commissioners Kyle Mecklenburg, Dawn Taylor and Debbie Burpo. Commissioner Kaci Farrar was unable to attend the meeting.

“I look forward to continue moving the Kingfisher Fire Department onward as Chief Stewart has,” Gibson said.

“I would like to thank Chief Stewart for his leadership and guidance. Also I would like to thank Jim Thomas and the city commission for giving me the opportunity to lead this department.”

Gibson has been with the department since June 2004.

A Dover High School graduate, he served as a member of the Dover Fire Department for more than four years prior to that.

In his time with KFD, he has earned certifications for firefighter 1 and 2, fire officer 1, fire service instructor 1 and EMT-paramedic.

He’s also completed the Executive Officer Leadership Program as well as Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System training.

He was promoted to lieutenant in 2007 and captain in January 2014.

Gibson was named the Firefighter of the Year in 2022 by the American Legion.

He and his wife, Ashley, have two children. Mayce is a freshman at Oklahoma State University and Wyatt is a freshman at Dover High School.

Gibson began shadowing Stewart on Jan. 2 and will do so until Stewcongratulates art’s retirement.

“Ryan is going to be a fantastic chief,” Stewart said. “He’s got a good working relationship with the guys. They like him and respect him.”

When Gibson started with the department, he was on Stewart’s shift, giving Stewart a first-hand look at Gibson’s progression through the ranks.

“He’s very knowledgeable and professional,” Stewart said. “He’s always been willing to get right in the middle of things, to work and to learn.

“He’s an all-around great person. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

When Stewart retires, it will cap a career that’s inching into its 40th year.

He started with the department on March 6, 1984.

Stewart was promoted to chief on Jan. 1, 2014.

Gibson’s promotion made way for Mitch Tollefson to move up to the rank of captain.

Tollefson began that role on Jan. 2.

Stewart said the department will begin testing for lieutenant later this month.