ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch named Keith Watts as the first Black fire chief in St. Petersburg Fire Rescue's history.
According to a news release from the city, Watts joined SPFR in 2018 as the Division Chief of Administration and recently served as the department's interim fire chief.
"With 30-plus years of experience in public safety and organizational management, Chief Watts will lead the department with a commitment to innovation, safety, equitable practices, and community engagement," city officials stated in the release.
Watts is the 11th fire chief to serve the department since it was founded in 1907.
"I am deeply honored to serve as Fire Chief for this dedicated team of professionals," Watts stated. "Together, we will continue to prioritize safety, innovation, and community engagement, ensuring that we remain a strong and reliable presence for the people we serve."
City officials added that as chief, Watts will focus on enhancing emergency response capabilities, advancing firefighter training programs, and increasing public safety awareness throughout St. Pete.
Watts began his career in public safety with Orange County Fire Rescue in 1991 while serving as a combat medic with the Florida Army National Guard. The following year, he was awarded the Florida Commendation Medal for lifesaving efforts for his work in Miami during Hurricane Andrew.
Later in his career, Watts held several leadership roles with OCFR, including battalion chief of special projects, St. Pete city officials said.
On top of his service to St. Pete, Watts also launched "Camp Ignite," the city's first-ever all-female firefighting camp.
"This is a historic moment for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue," Mayor Welch said of Watts in the release. "With his leadership and longtime career in public safety, I am confident he will continue to uphold the high standards of service our community deserves."
