City of Hays
The Hays Fire Department has announced that Lt. Tim Detrixhe has been selected as the department’s next deputy chief, concluding a comprehensive internal promotional evaluation.
Detrixhe will officially assume his administrative and operational command duties on Sept. 27.
In his new post as the second-in-command for the department, Detrixhe will direct recruit training, and oversee continuing professional education for career firefighters.
Additionally, he will collaborate directly with executive leadership on long-range operational planning, budget administration, apparatus readiness, and community risk-reduction strategies.
“Tim represents the absolute standard of operational excellence and selfless public service that we strive for across our agency,” said Hays Fire Chief Ryan Hagans. “Over the past 14 years, he has earned the trust and respect of our crew in the firehouse, our municipal partners across Ellis County, and emergency responders statewide. His extensive background in specialized rescue, combined with his passion for instruction and mentoring, makes him uniquely qualified to step into this position.”
Chief Hagans highlighted Detrixhe’s readiness to steer the department through modern fire service challenges.
“Modern firefighting requires continuous adaptation to evolving building construction, hazardous materials, and advanced emergency medicine,” Hagans said. “Tim has consistently led the charge in keeping our technical rescue capabilities and frontline tactics ahead of the curve. Entrusting our recruit pipeline and our ongoing veteran training to his leadership guarantees that our crews remain exceptionally prepared to protect this community.”
Detrixhe began his emergency services career with the Hays Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 2012, answering calls while completing prerequisite regional certifications. Recognizing his tactical aptitude and commitment, the department hired him as a full-time career firefighter in May 2013.
In April 2018, Detrixhe earned promotion to the rank of lieutenant, taking on direct supervisory responsibility for company-level shift operations, incident command, training, code inspections and equipment maintenance.
Parallel to his fire suppression duties, Detrixhe has served as the department’s technical rescue team coordinator since 2015.
Under his direction, the department advanced its capabilities in specialized disciplines, including high-angle rope rescue, confined-space extrication, trench collapse operations, and structural collapse mitigation.
He serves as the Assistant Team Leader for Kansas Task Force 7, a regional urban search and rescue team administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Kansas Task Force 7 primarily serves the 18 counties in the northwest Kansas area but can be deployed anywhere throughout the state for natural and man-made disasters.
“Serving the people of Hays alongside the men and women of this department has been the greatest honor of my professional life,” Detrixhe said. “When I joined as a volunteer over a decade ago, I saw firsthand the standard of professionalism, pride, and accountability expected of every member who wears our patch. Stepping into the role of deputy chief is a responsibility I take with tremendous seriousness.”
Detrixhe emphasized his vision for departmental training and personnel development.
“The people of Hays depend on us to perform at our best during their most critical moments,” Detrixhe said. “My top priority is to provide our recruits with a solid foundation during academy instruction. I believe the way we bring people into this organization and the care we show them in the beginning will set them up for success in their careers. Our continuing education program will reinforce the fundamentals of firefighting and build new capabilities that are emerging in the fire service."
Working with our members, our partners and our neighbors we will continue to protect the people of Hays from the effects of fires, accidents and related emergencies I am eager to work alongside Chief Hagans to build upon our department's strong foundation.”
A lifelong resident of Hays, Detrixhe brings deep civic roots to his administrative role.
He graduated from Hays High School in 2004 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University in 2009.
Beyond his operational duties, Detrixhe serves as president of the Hays Firefighter Relief Association, leading board governance and supporting the preservation of local firefighting heritage at the Hays Firefighters Museum.