Olympia Names First Woman Fire Chief
Aug 18, 2026, 3:39 PM
South Sound Business
Originally published on South Sound Business.
Hillory Flowers has been named fire chief of the Olympia Fire Department — an appointment that makes her the first woman to hold the position in the department’s history.
Flowers first joined the department in April 2025 as assistant chief of EMS before later becoming deputy chief of operations. She previously spent 19 years with Lacey Fire District 3, where she was assistant chief of health and safety and interim medical services officer.
She has served as Olympia’s interim fire chief since Chief Matthew Morris retired in March, and her permanent appointment was announced during a city council meeting Aug. 11.
“It’s an honor and privilege to serve as the fire chief of the Olympia Fire Department,” Flowers said during the meeting. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge what an exceptional team I have the privilege of leading. The men and women of Olympia Fire Department are absolutely fantastic. They’re highly dedicated professionals. They work hard at serving our mission of taking care of our community.”
