Kara Kalkbrenner Chosen to Wear White Helmet in Phoenix

Kara Kalkbrenner  has been selected to head the Phoenix Fire Department.

A Phoenix firefighter since 1985, she rose through the ranks of fire engineer, fire captain, division chief, deputy chief, assistant chief andexecutive assistant chief.

The selection came following a nationwide search.

“For more than 15 years, Kara worked in Emergency Response as a front-line firefighter, so she knows exactly what it’s like to serve in all areas of the organization. Her experience and commitment to quality fire service and the community make her the ideal choice for Phoenix Fire Chief," Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher said in a statement.

She joins only two other big-city female fire chiefs with more than 40 fire stations and more than  1,000 personnel; San Francisco and Austin.  Phoenix operates 58 fire stations with 1,948 firefighters.

“Phoenix Fire is in good hands and will continue to be one of the nation’s best departments under her leadership,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “She grew up in Phoenix, worked her way through the ranks and personifies the excellence we’ve come to expect from the department.”