A woman will be leading the Wichita Fire Department for the first time in its 131-year history.
City officials on Wednesday promoted Tammy Snow to fire chief. It's a job she has been doing on an interim basis since July.
“Chief Snow recognizes the exceptional service already provided by the Wichita Fire Department and will build on that record to create a nationally recognized department,” Wichita City Manager Robert Layton said in a news release. “Her collaborative leadership style and dedication to excellence is well suited to address the issues and challenges facing a 21st century Fire Department.”
Snow has worked nearly 30 years with the department in several positions, from firefighter to division chief. Snow will oversee a nearly $46 million budget and about 425 employees across Wichita's 22 firehouses.
“I am not only honored and humbled to be selected as the 14th Fire Chief for the Wichita Fire Department but extremely excited to be provided the opportunity to enhance the department’s exceptional services through innovation and capitalizing on opportunities,” Snow said. “My successes are a direct reflection of the stellar personnel composing the department and with their help, I look forward to creating a fire service department that not only exceeds community expectations but industry standards.”
The previous fire chief, Ron Blackwell, retired in July after 24 years with the department, 10 of them as fire chief.
The Wichita Fire Department was founded in 1886.
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