LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Fairdale Fire Department will be making history next year.
That's when Deputy Chief Carrie Blevins will take over as chief.
"My big thing is, is I don't want it to be about me being a female, because being a female didn't get me here. It was the hard work, the blood, sweat, the tears," Blevins told WLKY.
The move to replace retiring Chief Josh Underwood will be the first in Jefferson County.
She joined the Fairdale Fire Department as a volunteer in 2004, becoming a full-time firefighter in 2005. Blevins has served in various roles, including her most recent as deputy chief. She also started the department's junior firefighter program, partnering with Fairdale High School's fire science academy.
Among her top priorities is creating an EMS service.
"We're the only department in Jefferson County without EMS. EMS wait times for an ambulance is way more than our community deserves," Blevins said.
She also plans to offer annual cancer screenings, improve the department's gym, and ensure that her staff has adequate mental health services.
