Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) Director/Fire Chief Kurtis Wilson is retiring at the end of the month after 25 years of service to the department. Mayor Lenny Curry is appointing current Operations Division Chief Keith Powers as interim director/fire chief.
“Chief Wilson has been an exemplary leader for the men and women of JFRD and I wish him and his family the best,” said Mayor Curry. “Our firefighters are some of the best in the business and continuously set the bar for departments across the nation. I look forward to working with Chief Powers in the coming months as we continue to identify and develop innovative solutions and best practices to improve the health and safety of Jacksonville citizens.”
Wilson began his JFRD career in 1994 and quickly rose through the ranks. Throughout his career he has served as captain of Fire Station 21, and chief of the Administrative Services, Fire Prevention and Operations divisions of JFRD. He was appointed as director/fire chief by Mayor Curry in August 2015. His last day in office is May 31.
Powers was appointed chief of the Operations Division in August 2015, the largest division in the department responsible for managing more than 900 fire suppression personnel. He is a 23-year veteran of the department.
The men and women of JFRD serve all of Jacksonville’s nearly 900,000 residents in an area covering 840 square miles. The department’s 58 fire stations, 56 engine companies, 53 full-time rescue units and 13 ladder trucks responded to 151,237 calls for service in 2018.
About the City of Jacksonville: The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the contiguous United States, serving approximately 850,000 residents. Located in Duval County, City of Jacksonville leadership includes the mayor and a 19-member City Council.