Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner to retire Dec. 31; to lead Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner, who began his Minneapolis Fire Department career in 1995 and was appointed the city's second Black fire chief in December 2020, will retire effective Dec. 31, 2025, to become executive director of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center. During his 30-year career—raised in North Minneapolis and holding an Executive Fire Officer certification—Tyner led the department through COVID-19 and civil unrest, increased firefighter staffing, launched EMS Pathways and Safe Station programs and a nationally recognized commercial building inspection program; a national search for his successor is underway and an interim chief will be appointed.
Public Safety
Local Government
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner will retire effective Dec. 31, 2025, and will become executive director of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center after leaving the department.
- The city has launched a national search for the next Minneapolis fire chief and will appoint an interim chief to ensure a smooth transition.
- Tyner has a roughly 30-year career with the Minneapolis Fire Department, having begun his MFD career in 1995.
- He was appointed Minneapolis’ fire chief in December 2020 and is the city's second Black fire chief.
- Tyner was raised in North Minneapolis and earned an Executive Fire Officer certification in 2014.
- Under Tyner’s leadership the department increased firefighter staffing, launched EMS Pathways and Safe Station programs, and implemented a nationally recognized commercial building inspection program.
- He led the department through major challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and periods of civil unrest.
đź“° Sources (2)
Minneapolis Fire Chief Tyner reflects on 30 years of saving lives
New information:
- Retirement effective date: Dec. 31, 2025.
- A national search for the next Minneapolis fire chief is underway; an interim chief will be appointed to ensure a smooth transition.
- Background details: Tyner was appointed in Dec. 2020 as Minneapolis’ second Black fire chief; began his MFD career in 1995; raised in North Minneapolis; earned Executive Fire Officer certification in 2014.
- Programmatic initiatives under Tyner: increased firefighter staffing; launched EMS Pathways and Safe Station programs; implemented a nationally recognized commercial building inspection program.
- Context: Led the department through COVID-19 and civil unrest; will become executive director of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center after retiring.