Since Chief Pratt’s appointment to Fire Chief in 2017, he has continued to lead the organization and its 26 personnel, operating out of one station with a $5 million dollar budget. Under his direction the district is updating and implementing components of a new strategic plan. New Assistant Chief positions were created in 2023, allowing for an Assistant Chief to be present around the clock to assist with operational oversight and general administrative duties. Chief Pratt oversees all administrative functions as well as fire prevention, emergency medical service delivery system, fleet maintenance, fire suppression, training, public education/fire investigation and emergency management.
Organizationally, Chief Pratt has held every rank in the department except Fire Marshal. He began as a Junior Firefighter in 1986 and was hired as one of the district’s first three full-time employees in 1991. He holds an Associate in Applied Science Fire Science Technology Degree and has completed the IAFC’s Officer Development Program. He is a certified Fire Investigator and Fire Instructor.
Active in local and state fire service professional organizations, Chief Pratt currently serves as President of the Missouri Association of Fire Protection Districts, co-chair of the Heart of America Metro Fire Chief’s Council Professional Development Committee, coordinating bi-state educational opportunities for fire service leaders, a board member for the Missouri Fire and Ambulance Districts Trust, which provides workers compensation, Treasurer for a regional fire chief association. He is also an active member in the Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs and International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Regional and statewide collaboration is very important, and he serves on the Mid- America Regional Council’s (MARC) Emergency Rescue (MARCER) Committee promoting regional coordination and cooperation in emergency pre-hospital care for metropolitan Kansas City. He also serves as the Clay County Coordinator for the Region A Statewide Mutual Aid Plan. In 2017, he was appointed to the Missouri Fire Service Alliance, the legislative representative group for Missouri fire service organizations. He has actively worked on legislative issues since 2008. Personally, Chief Pratt is a lifelong member of the Kearney community. He has been married to his wife Staci for over 25 years and they have two grown children, Emmalyn, and Nathan. He enjoys fishing and lake time as well as traveling with family. He currently serves his community as President of the Kearney Area Development Council and is a member of the Kearney School Districts Bulldogs Business and Education for Schools of Tomorrow (BEST) Team.