Little Rock fire chief hired by Austin, Texas

By ArkansasOnline

Former Little Rock Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr, pictured in this 2005 file photo, has been hired as Fire Chief by Austin Fire Department. Karen E. Segrave

Rhoda Mae Kerr, the Little Rock fire chief since 2004, has been hired by the Austin Fire Department as their new fire chief according to a release by the City of Little Rock. An announcement from the City of Austin is expected today.

“Because of Chief Kerr's outstanding abilities and skills, it is no surprise that the City of Austin, Texas, would select her to be the next Fire Chief," City Manager Bruce T. Moore wrote in a press release Thursday. "As she enters this next step in her career, we wish her much continued success. Though she will be leaving the City of Little Rock, she will always be part of the Little Rock City Hall family."

Kerr was one of four finalists who answered questions from the city of Austin last week. She will be the first woman hired as fire chief for Austin, according to a story in the Austin American-Statesman today.

Kerr was also Little Rock's first woman Fire Chief when she was hired in September 2003. Prior to her time in Little Rock she spent two decades in Florida finishing as Fort Lauderdale’s deputy fire chief.