dad next door
Michael Kimble
BY AMANDA MILLER
F or Baton Rouge Fire Chief Michael a husband, father, coach, and the guy behind the Blackstone, feeding family, friends, and neighbors whenever they gather. Through years of public service, he’s learned that some of life’s greatest lessons come from father- hood. Michael shares how raising his children has shaped his leadership, why family traditions matter, and what he hopes his kids remember most about growing up with him. Kimble, leadership doesn’t stop when he leaves the fire station. At home, he’s
Occupation: Fire Chief for the City of Baton Rouge Wife: Jennifer Children: Grace, 21, and Tyson, 18 Hobbies: Spending time with family, volunteering as a firefighter, and supporting son’s athletic pursuits
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND AN UNEXPECTED DAY OFF WITH YOUR FAMILY?
MICHAEL: We like to cook and get together. That’s what we do; we cook, hang out, and just be together. YOUR CAREER HAS REQUIRED YOU TO BE CALM UNDER PRESSURE. HAS BEING A DAD TAUGHT YOU ANY LESSONS THAT HAVE MADE YOU A BETTER LEADER? MICHAEL: It’s about understanding people and learning how to work with them. As a dad, I’m raising kids who are becoming adults, and they’re developing their own perspectives and ways of thinking. At work, I’m leading more than 550 firefighters, and it’s the same principle: Everyone has their own perspective. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to explain things differently than they were explained when I was growing up. Back then, you didn’t ask questions; you were simply told how things were. Today’s generation wants to know why, and that’s not out of disrespect. It’s how they’ve been taught. Instead of just saying two plus two equals four, they want to understand why it equals four. That shift in perspective has made me a better leader, and it’s also helped me become a better dad.
WHAT FAMILY TRADITIONS DOES YOUR FAMILY LOOK FORWARD TO?
sure I’m spending quality time with my family.
MICHAEL: Our beach trip has definitely been a longtime family tradition. We’re in a season of transition now as our family changes. My daughter never played sports, but she stayed involved through school activities. Another tradition that’s always been important to us is going to church. Every Sunday morning, you’ll find us at First Baptist Church in Zach- ary. During football season, though, Friday nights at the Bronco Corral were the highlight of our week. We couldn’t wait for Friday Night Lights at Zachary High School.
WHAT’S ONE LESSON YOUR OWN PARENTS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU'VE TRIED TO PASS ALONG TO YOUR CHILDREN? MICHAEL: Treat everybody as you’d want to be treated. It doesn’t matter what they look like, what kind of clothes they have on, what kind of car they’re riding in, what kind of house they live in, treat them as if they were your best friend or your brother or sister. That’s one thing we tell everybody, even in the fire service, especially brand new firefighters. If you treat every person as if that was your mother’s or your father’s house, or that was your grandma you’re making a medical call on, if you treat them as if that was your loved one, this world would be so much better off. I feel that I’ve instilled that in my kids.
WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHAT HOBBIES OR
ACTIVITIES HELP YOU RECHARGE? MICHAEL: Honestly, my time on my lawnmower cutting grass is when I truly get to decompress. It’s my time to be alone and clear my head. Outside of that, there’s always something going on because of the things I’ve chosen to be involved in, whether it’s the fire department or the Zachary High School Athletic Foundation. Between those commitments, there’s usually something to handle every afternoon, along with making
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOUR KIDS HAVE TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF THAT SURPRISED YOU?
MICHAEL: As time has gone on, I’ve learned that the small things don’t really matter. Don’t sweat the little things. It could always be so much worse. In our line of work, we see a lot of tragedy. I’ll never forget when my son was
14 OCTOBER 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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