Petersburg Fire and Rescue has hired the first female fire chief in its nearly 250-year history. Chief Tina R. Watkins is taking over on a permanent basis after a number of years where interim leaders have directed Petersburgâs fire department.
Watkins began her career as a firefighter. For the past 11 years, she has been a Battalion Chief for Richmond Fire and Emergency Services where she supervised five stations and six fire companies.
She earned a Master's degree in Leadership with an emphasis in Emergency Management and Executive Fire Leadership and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety and Business Administration. She holds professional certifications through FEMA, the National Fire Academy, and the Virginia State Fire Program.
