Flory started his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter in Lecompton, Kansas in 1986. In 1987, he was hired as a volunteer firefighter with the then Topeka-Tecumseh Fire District.
Flory attained his Emergency Medical Technician license in 1988. Flory progressed from Firefighter to a Lieutenant,
Captain, and finally a District Chief at Topeka-Tecumseh.
In 1998, Flory left full time employment with Topeka-Tecumseh Fire District to go to work at the City of Topeka Fire Department. Flory worked through the ranks there from Firefighter to Lieutenant. He then transferred to the Training Division. Flory retired from Topeka Fire in 2021 as Division Chief of Training.
Flory stayed as a part time firefighter with Shawnee Height’s Fire District from 1998 until 2008. He then joined Soldier Township Fire Department as a part time firefighter and served there until 2018.
Flory was hired at Shawnee Heights Fire District as the assistant Fire Chief February 2022 and then was promoted to his current role as Fire Chief, April 1st, 2024.
Flory also served on the Executive Board of the Kansas State Firefighters Association from 2004 until 2022.
Flory earned an Associates Degree in Fire Science from Hutchinson Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University. He is also a Kansas Certified Emergency Manager.
Chief Flory and his wife Pam have four grown children and one grandchild.
Chuck Gatewood was appointed Assistant Chief of the Shawnee’s Heights Fire District in May of 2024.
Gatewood started his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter with the then Topeka-Tecumseh Fire Department in 1991. He volunteered his services until 1994.
He earned his Emergency Medical Technician License through the Kansas State Board of Emergency Medical Services and began his career with the Topeka Fire Department (TFD) as a firefighter in 1993. He worked through the ranks at TFD from Firefighter to Captain. He was promoted to Battalion Chief and later, Shift Commander. He retired from TFD in December 2023 as the Division Chief of Administration.
Gatewood earned an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Kansas City Kansas Community College. Gatewood was the first TFD employee to attend the Managing Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. He graduated from the Managing Officer Program in 2019.
Gatewood has in-depth knowledge of firefighter safety and training. He has specialized in leadership skills and officer development throughout his career. He has experience in designing, developing and completing large-scale projects and has implemented cultural change through his leadership.
He has served on the board of the Shawnee Heights Fire District Governing Board. He has served as a board member on the Monmouth Township Board as well as numerous other boards. He is a member of the Kansas State Firefighters Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Gatewood and his wife, Wendy, have four grown children and presently have four beautiful grandchildren.