Diehl joins FES as new fire chief

Fort Riley Post – October 25, 2013

When Michael Diehl joined the Air Force, he said he didn’t want to become a fighter pilot; he wanted to become a firefighter.

“I’ve always wanted to do that,” he recalled. “So I put that down on the list, and it’s what I ended up getting.”

When he left the Air Force, Diehl continued his work as a firefighter at the Army Kwajalein Atoll, or USAKA, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which is located about halfway between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Sydney, Australia.

The fire department there had three stations on three islands, which were accessible only by plane, helicopter or boat.

While at USAKA, Diehl worked his way up from firefighter to fire chief. He also met his wife, and the couple had three children.

Wanting to move closer to Family, Diehl accepted a position at Sierra Army Depot, or SIAD, in Herlong, Calif.

At SIAD, which had only one fire station, Diehl became heavily involved with the surrounding communities because they didn’t have much fire support, he said.

“We really worked to improve those relationships in the county and provide mutual aid to them, and provide support,” he said.

Diehl served as the fire chief at SIAD for about two-and-a-half years before coming to Fort Riley.

“This opportunity presented itself,” said Diehl, fire chief, Fort Riley Fire and Emergency Services, Directorate of Emergency Services. “It seemed like a perfect opportunity to get even closer (to Family).”

Diehl started in his new position Sept. 30, the eve of the federal government shutdown, which made for an interesting first week on the job, he said.

Despite the slow start, Diehl said he is enthusiastic and has been impressed by the fire department.

“There seems to be really good morale within the department, good camaraderie,” he said.

Diehl also has been struck by how active the fire department is within the community.

“The working relationships they have within the community, the things that they do in the community, are great. So, I’m excited to be able to be here and be a part of what they do,” he said. “Overall, they do a lot … It’s great to see that.”

Diehl said he is focused on getting to know the FES staff and meeting with off-post community partners to get a lay of the land as he works to develop a path forward.

“I’m still taking in and assessing on exactly where we need to go to develop our long-range plan and our strategic goals,” he said. “The main thing is taking the great things that they have done here and seeing what we can do to work together as a team to improve those things.”

Energetic and enthusiastic, Diehl said he welcomes community feedback and input, so the fire department can continue to improve and provide better service.

“(I’m) always going to be willing to listen and work with the community,” he said.

As Diehl settles into his new position, he also is settling in with his Family – unpacking and exploring the area.

“My wife and I are really enjoying the area so far,” he said. “The scenery’s completely different from where we came from.”

Diehl also said he has been impressed by the educational system and said he looks forward to golfing. However, there is one hobby he won’t get to explore.

“(I) used to surf,” he laughed. “But there’s no place to surf around here.”

By Julie Fiedler 1st Inf. Div. Post

www.ksffa.com