FIRE CHIEF
KENNETH CULLINS
Chief Cullins was born and raised in Rockwall and served as a volunteer/part-time firefighter for more than 28 years.  In 1995 he was hired by Dallas Fire-Rescue where he began his professional career in firefighting.  During his time in Dallas he served as a Firefighter / Paramedic, Driver/Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, and ultimately as a Deputy Chief before leaving Dallas to become the Fire Chief of the Rockwall Fire Department.  Chief Cullins graduated from Rockwall High School in 1989 and earned a degree from Texas A&M University in 1993.  He currently lives in Rockwall with his wife and two daughters.  He enjoys many outdoor activities and spending time with his family.

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF OPERATIONS
BRETT MERRITT
Chief Merritt joined the Rockwall Fire Department as a volunteer in 1988 and served in that capacity until October 2003, when he was hired full-time as a Lieutenant.  He worked his way from Lieutenant to Battalion Chief and ultimately to his current position of Assistant Chief of Operations. Chief Merritt is a lifelong resident of the City of Rockwall.  He graduated from Rockwall High School and holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX (formerly Southwest Texas State).  The Rockwall Fire Department is a way of life for Chief Merritt as two of his brothers also served as RFD volunteers, and his father, Paul Merritt, served for over 40 years. Chief Merritt is a proud father of two beautiful daughters, Callie and Cale. 

ASSISTANT CHIEF/FIRE MARSHAL
ARIANA KISTNER
Chief Kistner joined the Rockwall Fire Department in 2002 as the Assistant Fire Marshal before taking on the lead role of the Fire Marshal's Division in 2007. As Fire Marshal, she is responsible for code enforcement, plan review, inspections, fire and life safety education, and fire/arson investigations on behalf of the Rockwall Fire Department.

Ariana is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technologies in Fire Protection and Safety Technologies. She holds a certification as a Master Peace Office, Master Arson Investigator, Master Inspector, Advanced Firefighter, and Fire Service Instructor.

She serves as an adjunct instructor with Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), and Collin College.

She is currently the Vice President of the Texas Fire Marshal’s Association and maintains active membership in numerous other professional and trade organizations.

Her commitment to the community of Rockwall is not just professional in nature. She is very active in several civic organizations in Rockwall including Soroptimist International of Rockwall, Meals on Wheels Senior Services, and Friends of the Library.