Oak Creek Fire District Seeks New Leader

The district is looking for a 'proven, ethical and dynamic' fire chief to oversee operations and prepare for the future of firefighting.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Oak Creek Fire Protection District in Colorado is searching for a new fire chief to lead the department as it enters an 'exciting new chapter' in emergency services and wildfire response. The district has been led by an interim chief since the previous chief resigned last year following an internal investigation. The new fire chief will oversee fire protection, EMS, community education, and fire mitigation efforts, with a salary range of $135,000-$145,000 plus benefits.

Why it matters

The Oak Creek Fire Protection District serves a community that is increasingly part of the 'wild and urban interface', requiring new approaches to firefighting and emergency response. The district is looking to hire an experienced and forward-thinking leader to guide the department through this evolving landscape and prepare it for the challenges of the future.

The details

The Oak Creek Fire Protection District is seeking a new fire chief after the previous chief, Brady Glauthier, resigned last year following an internal investigation into allegations that his decisions and management style had endangered firefighter safety and created a toxic work environment. Since then, the district has been led by Interim Fire Chief Kenyon Shephard, who has helped stabilize operations and allowed the board to assess the department's needs. The new fire chief will oversee fire protection, EMS, community education, and fire mitigation efforts, with a salary range of $135,000-$145,000 plus benefits.

  • The previous fire chief, Brady Glauthier, resigned in July 2025.
  • Kenyon Shephard has served as interim fire chief since Glauthier's resignation.
  • The application process for the new fire chief position will close on March 2, 2026.

The players

Brady Glauthier

The former fire chief of the Oak Creek Fire Protection District who resigned in July 2025 following an internal investigation.

Kenyon Shephard

The current interim fire chief of the Oak Creek Fire Protection District, who has been leading the department since Glauthier's resignation.

Skyler McKinley

The vice president of the Oak Creek Fire Protection District board of directors, who is overseeing the search for a new fire chief.

Oak Creek Fire Protection District

The fire department serving the town of Oak Creek and surrounding areas of South Routt County, Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“We've been served very, very well on an interim basis by Captain Kenyon Shephard, who's really dug into the management and operations of the special district and the personnel on the apparatus.”

— Skyler McKinley, Vice President, Oak Creek Fire Protection District (steamboatpilot.com)

“This is a really exciting and important position, as we're looking at a new era in firefighting. It's no secret to any Colorado firefighter that almost all of Colorado is in the wild and urban interface now. That's the new reality for fighting fires in 2026 and beyond.”

— Skyler McKinley, Vice President, Oak Creek Fire Protection District (steamboatpilot.com)

What’s next

The Oak Creek Fire Protection District board will begin reviewing applications for the fire chief position on March 2, 2026 and continue the search until the position is filled.

The takeaway

The Oak Creek Fire Protection District is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to guide the department through the evolving challenges of firefighting and emergency response in the 'wild and urban interface' that is becoming the new normal across Colorado and the country.