TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — A 130-year-old fire department elected its first female fire chief based on her smarts, demeanor and work ethic.
Kelly Murphy tells the Journal News that she joined the Tarrytown Volunteer Fire Department 12 years ago as a way to help her community. It was the brotherhood and camaraderie that kept her.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all, that she’s been elected chief,” said John Cullen, who was a Tarrytown volunteer when Murphy joined the department. Cullen is Westchester Emergency Services commissioner. “You can tell early on if a firefighter has leadership qualities, and Kelly always impressed me as someone who would rise to the top.”
Kelly, 38, will be leading a 150-member fire department. She said her priorities as chief will be making sure the equipment and training needs are met and attracting new volunteers.
Murphy has been a second assistant chief and spent the past year as first assistant chief. She has also served as a training officer, a lieutenant, a yeoman on the department’s marine unit and a member of the standard operating guideline committee.
“I’m honored at their faith in my ability,” said Murphy, who is one of three female firefighters on the department. “As a woman, it means a lot to me that they believe I can do the job, and lead the department. You have to prove yourself as a firefighter, not as a female firefighter.”
Tarrytown Mayor Drew Fixell said Murphy’s election as chief “is great for the department and great for the village. Kelly has been a wonderful firefighter and assistant chief, and she’ll be a wonderful chief. She’s smart, she’s calm, and she’s competent. I’d say those are all good qualities for a fire chief to have.”