10/12/2026
Some leaders command respect through titles, but the truly great ones earn it through an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and the people they serve. Fire Chief Dean Hutt ran a tight ship, and in doing so, he built a fire department that became a cornerstone of respect and trust in our community, county, state, and beyond.
For those of us fortunate enough to serve under his command, Dean was much more than a chief. He was a leaders leader, a firm voice when one was needed, as well as a teacher, a standard-bearer, and a mentor who shaped us in the very best ways. The lessons we learned under his guidance didn’t just make us better firefighters; they instilled a lifelong calling. My entire career in public service has been steeped in the foundations that Dean built: a deep, solemn dedication to serving my local community as much as my fire service family.
We are immensely lucky to have walked in his footsteps, and his legacy lives on in every call answered, every life protected, and every firefighter he mentored. Rest easy, Chief. We’ve got the watch from here.