City officials: Kennewick Fire Chief Vince Beasley is out

A spokesperson for the City of Kennewick confirms that Kennewick Fire Chief Vince Beasley no longer works for the department.

Beasley sent out an email to fire department staff and local media Saturday, responding to an internal email City Manager Marie Mosley distributed on Friday, saying that the city was working on the terms of Beasley's retirement.

In his email Saturday, Beasley said he had no desire to retire.

"I have not instigated any discussions regarding retirement with the city manager or anyone else," Beasley wrote. "I have absolutely NOT been planning to retire as the City of Kennewick Fire Chief."

"Due to his actions, City of Kennewick Fire Chief Vince Beasley has effectively resigned effective immediately," said a statement from the city on Sunday.

According to the press release, Mosley had been working with Beasley regarding "performance and leadership concerns," and had discussed a retirement option with the now former Fire Chief.

Beasley had spent nearly 37 years with the Kennewick Fire Department, and five years as Chief.

With Beasley's termination, long-time City of Kennewick Police Chief, who is also Deputy City Manager for the city, will take over as interim Fire Chief while the city seeks a replacement with the assistance of the Western Fire Chiefs Association.