RSVP NOW

 FEATURING:

Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr

WHEN:

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Networking: 11:30 am

Program: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

WHERE:

BOATYARD

You don’t want to miss the next Serving Up Leadership with Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr.

Rhoda Mae Kerr was sworn in as the City of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief on July 2, 2018. Kerr became the City’s first female Fire Chief in the 106-year history of the department. Chief Kerr was appointed as Interim Assistant City Manager during a transition period for the City of Fort Lauderdale. As of January 2019, she oversaw Public Works, Sustainable Development, Transportation and Mobility, and Parks and Recreation departments until October 2019.

She brings almost 40 years of experience and manages a staff of over 400 firefighters, lifeguards, and administrators. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an accredited agency that responds to over 46,000 calls yearly. Before the City of Fort Lauderdale, Kerr served for almost 10 years as Fire Chief of the City of Austin, Texas, managing one of the nation’s 20 largest fire departments. From 2004-2009, she served as Fire Chief of Little Rock, Arkansas where she was instrumental in deploying a bond program to renovate the City’s fire stations, upgrade communications equipment, and establish a Fire Training Academy.

A fourth-generation firefighter, Kerr began her career in the fire service in 1983 with the City of Fort Lauderdale.   Over the next 20 years, she steadily rose through the ranks serving as a Firefighter, Driver/Engineer, Lieutenant, Battalion Chief, Division Chief, and ultimately, Fort Lauderdale’s first female Deputy Fire Chief.

Chief Kerr has been a trailblazer in the fire profession for decades. In 2015 she was the first woman elected President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in the 142-year history of the organization. She served as President of the Metropolitan Metro Fire Chiefs Association from 2016 – 2017 and is a former President of the National Society of Executive Fire Officers (NSEFO).

In December 2016, Chief Kerr was appointed by President Obama to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.  With academic, public, and private sector experts, she advised the sitting President on the security of critical infrastructure and related information systems.

Chief Kerr holds a Master’s in Public Administration, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education and Health, and an Associate’s degree in Fire Science Technology. She earned two certifications from Harvard’s program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government and National Preparedness Leadership Institute and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program. Prior to entering fire service, Chief Kerr was a coach and physical education teacher at the high school level for 12 years.

Chief Kerr is a sports enthusiast, enjoying cycling, golf, tennis, and skiing. She is also a Miami Dolphins fan and a season ticket holder to the Hard Rock Stadium.

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