Mikal Barnett is the B-shift Battalion Chief (BC) and leads five captains and 20 personnel in providing the highest level of life safety & property protection to the citizens of Kennewick.  BC Barnett reports to the Deputy Chief of Operations. During assigned 24 hour periods, he ensures fire, medical and other responses are handled efficiently within KFD’s defined response parameters by coordinating closely with our partner agencies and City of Kennewick personnel.  BC Barnett’s staff responsibilities include shift scheduling, ensuring completion of personnel training, along with budgeting and management of KFD’s facilities and fitness equipment. 

BC Barnett began his firefighting career in 1984 with Benton County F.D. #1 as a volunteer FF/EMT and was hired in 1989 by the Kennewick Fire Department (KFD).   BC Barnett was promoted to Captain in 1993 and completed paramedic training in 1994.  BC Barnett has been active with Incident Management Teams (IMT’s) since their inception in 1996 and was selected as one of six, fire service Incident Commander Trainees in 2000 when the Fire Marshal’s, Department of Natural Resources and federal teams were integrated into six inter-agency Type 2 IMT’s.  BC Barnett was assigned as KFD Training Officer in 2006 and integrated the transition into a new regional records management system.  He was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2010 and currently operates in that role.  

BC Barnett earned his Associates Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Basin College and his Paramedic Certification from the same institution.  BC Barnett has completed the Training Division Management Course at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD and carries a Fire Officer 2 IFSAC credential.  BC Barnett’s incident qualifications include National Type 2 Incident Commander and Planning Section Chief ratings along with a Division Supervisor rating.