First Female Fire Chief in North TX is Veteran Dallas Officer

When Tami Kayea raises her right hand in Sunnyvale next month she’ll be making history – the first female fire chief in North Texas.

Kayea brings 27 years of experience with the Dallas Fire-Rescue where she has served as deputy chief since 2018.

“When evaluating our applicants, Chief Kayea’s story got our attention. Not only is she impeccably qualified to run a department, her family history and penchant for the community spirit in smaller towns made her the perfect choice,” Town Manager Jeff Jones told WFAA. 

She served on the department’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team and Peer Support Team as well as the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council.

Kayea authored Firehouse's EMS column from 2019-2021.

Kayea has a master’s degree in management and leadership from Tarleton State University and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. A paramedic, she also holds Master Firefighter Certification.

“It is vitally important that a Fire Chief not only understand every component of Fire and EMS service. It’s also critical that they have a passion for community and understand what it means to serve, not just a town, but its people. Chief Kayea fits that bill and we’re thrilled to have her,” Sunnyvale Mayor Saji George said.