On behalf of the City of Austin organization we are very proud that our own Austin Fire Chief has been recognized by the President of the United States for a very esteemed position.

Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr was recently appointed by President Barack Obama to a key administrative post as a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.

The council advises the President on the security of the critical infrastructure sectors and their information systems.

The council is comprised of a maximum of 30 members appointed by the President from private industry, academia, and state and local government.

Kerr has been Austin’s Fire Chief since 2009.  Previously, Kerr served as Fire Chief of the Little Rock, Ark., Fire Department from 2004 to 2009.

Chief Kerr served as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs from 2015 to 2016.  She is currently President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association.  She received an A.S. from Broward Community College, a B.A. from William Paterson University, and an M.P.A. from Florida International University.

Congratulations, Chief Kerr.