Ind. City's First Woman Chief Resigns After Two Years

May 21, 2014
After less than two years on the job, Fort Wayne's Fire Chief is leaving to take back her old job as a captain in the department.

May 20--Fort Wayne's top firefighter is stepping down after less than two years on the job.

Mayor Tom Henry confirmed today that Amy Biggs, who became the city's first woman fire chief in June 2012 when Mayor Tom Henry appointed her to succeed the retiring Pete Kelly, has submitted her resignation, effective June 1.

The search for a new chief will begin immediately, and Biggs will remain with the department as a captain.

Biggs joined the Fort Wayne Fire Department as a firefighter in 1995. In 1999, she was promoted to captain in the Fire Prevention Bureau and became captain in the Operations Division in 2001, where she served for seven years, until being appointed to the position of assistant chief.

The reasons for Biggs' resignation were not immediately clear, but in a statement Henry thanked her for her service, calling her "a dedicated professional committed to protecting and serving our community. I wish Amy well in her new position."

Biggs, who declined to comment Monday when asked about rumors of her imminent resignation, said in a statement that "the experiences I've had during my tenure will truly be memorable for years to come. I stand proud to have represented the men and women of the Fort Wayne Fire Department as well as served the citizens of Fort Wayne. I look forward to my return to the Operations Division."

Biggs, 44, is a 19-year veteran of the department and Fort Wayne native.

Copyright 2014 - The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!