A 26-year veteran of Polk County Fire Rescue became the first woman to be promoted to the rank of deputy chief, the county announced this week.
Jennifer Huff will serve in the planning division, according to a release.
“Deputy Chief Huff’s promotion is a huge milestone for Polk County Fire Rescue,” Fire Chief Robert Weech said in a statement. “In a profession dominated by men, Huff has stood out, broken her own ground and deserves this position – not because of her gender, but by her skill.” Huff began her career in 1995 as a volunteer firefighter, the county said. Over the years she "climbed the ranks as an emergency medical technician and paramedic, to firefighter, engineer, lieutenant, battalion chief and now deputy chief," the county said in its release.
Also promoted to the rank of deputy chief is Eugene Gorokhov. He will serve in the training division, the county said.