Acting Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire Chief Richard T. Bonnett Jr., a 23-year veteran of the department, has been selected as fire chief after an extensive nationwide search. 

Bonnett has been with the Airports Authority since July 2000. He started as a firefighter paramedic and has steadily risen through the ranks to become captain of emergency medical services, battalion chief of emergency medical services, operations battalion chief and deputy chief of operations. He has been the acting fire chief since October. 

Before joining the Airports Authority, Bonnett began his career as a firefighter paramedic with Frederick County, Virginia. He then oversaw the critical and non-critical patient transport operations for five regions at Valley Medical Transport and volunteered at his local fire department, Millwood Station Volunteer Fire & Rescue. He continues to teach CPR, first aid and life support classes at the Winchester Medical Center. 

“Chief Bonnett brings more than 33 years of regional fire and emergency medical services experience to the job,” said Airports Authority Vice President of Public Safety Bryan Norwood. “Most notably, he has led the Authority through two global health crises – Ebola and the COVID pandemic - during his tenure so far. He is well-liked and respected not only in the department but regionally. He also has many innovative ideas to lead this department forward.” 

The Airports Authority Fire-Rescue department includes over 160 personnel and 30 pieces of emergency response apparatus covering Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International Airports. These include but are not limited to aircraft firefighting and rescue vehicles (ARFF), a ladder truck, hazmat units, mass casualty support units, boats and a mobile command post. The department also participates in regional mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions in the National Captial Region.  

“I am looking forward to building on the strong relationships the Fire Department has with internal and external stakeholders here at the Airports Authority,” the Chief said. “We have great personnel, and I want to continue to focus on their career development. I am proud to lead this department.”