Jodie Hettrick named new Anchorage Fire Department Chief

Mayor's Corner

6/6/2018

ANCHORAGE—Today, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced the appointment of Jodie Hettrick as the new Chief for the Anchorage Fire Department (AFD). Hettrick has been serving as Acting Chief since the former Chief, Denis LeBlanc, retired in May.

“Jodie Hettrick has earned the respect of the AFD staff during her time as Deputy Fire Chief,” said Mayor Berkowitz. “She has been instrumental in moving the department forward, and will continue to make sure that AFD remains one of the finest departments in the country.”

Hettrick joined AFD in 2012 and served as the Assistant Fire Chief until 2015, when she was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief. As Deputy Chief, Hettrick was responsible for the day-to-day management and operations for the department. Prior to coming to AFD, Hettrick worked for the State of Alaska’s Division of Fire and Life Safety, the Alaska Building Science Network, Cominco Alaska, Inc., the Valdez Fire Department, and the Central Mat-Su Fire Department.

Jodie Hettrick is the first female fire Chief for the Anchorage Fire Department. She begins her new assignment immediately.

For more information, contact Kristin DeSmith, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor, (907) 231-2226, desmithk@muni.org.  

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The Anchorage Fire Department provides all hazard prevention and response to the 290,000+ residents and visitors of Anchorage. Its 360 first responders operate an emergency dispatch center and 13 stations serving an area of 151 square miles. In 2017, AFD responded to more than 36,000 emergencies.