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Edmond Life and Leifure - June 12, 2025
Essary new Fire Chief
Terry Essary, a 28-year veteran of the Stillwater Fire Department, has been named the new Fire Chief for the Edmond Fire Department.
Essary, who was Chief of the 74-person Stillwater Fire Department since January 2021, fills the position left when Chief Chris Goodwin retired after seven years with the Edmond Fire Department and will lead the 160-person department. Essary’s first official day is July 1, 2025.
“As I begin this new chapter as Fire Chief for the City of Edmond, I’m deeply honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve this incredible community,” Essary said. “To our city leaders — thank you for your trust. To the citizens of Edmond — your safety will always be our top priority. And to the dedicated men and women of the Edmond Fire Department — I’m proud to stand beside you. Together, we will uphold our values, strengthen our service, and continue the tradition of excellence that makes this department, and this city, truly special.”
Essary, who joined the Stillwater Fire Department in 1997, is a certified Paramedic and spent seven years working with the Stillwater Police Department’s Special Operations Team. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from East Central University and has training from the Oklahoma Executive Fire Officer Leadership Program and the City of Stillwater’s leadership academy. In addition, he attended training courses at the National Fire Academy, New Mexico Tech and the Center for Domestic Preparedness.
Essary holds the Chief Fire Officer certification from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, is an active member of The Institution of Fire Engineers and currently serves in the Oklahoma Fire Chief’s Association Executive Board.
Essary and his wife, Amber, are parents to their son, Taylor, and daughters, Aspen and Timber.
