Amy Biggs appointed first woman to lead city fire department

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Mayor Tom Henry announced Wednesday that Amy Biggs will be Fort Wayne's new fire chief. Biggs has been the assistant chief since 2008.

Biggs will replace retiring fire chief Pete Kelly, who will be leaving his position June 29. 

“I have had the opportunity and privilege to work alongside Amy for many years.  There is no doubt that she will continue to lead this department with the integrity that the Fort Wayne Fire Department and community expects and deserves,” Chief Kelly said.

Biggs will be the first woman fire chief in the department's 173 years. There are fewer than 40 career fire chiefs nationwide who are women.

"I think there's been many women in the fire service across the country that have broken those lines and have graduated to the position of fire chief and this is just another momentous moment in the progressive nature of the city's administration and moving forward," Biggs said.  "From a perspective of being a female, again I'm honored.  But the qualifications I think are really the focus of the appointment."

Biggs will officially take over the position June 30.