Judy Thill

In 2007, the city of Inver Grove Heights, MN, hired Judy Thill as the first full-time fire chief to lead the department. Thill started her 34-year fire service career in 1989 as a paid-on-call firefighter with the Eagan, MN, Fire Department while also working as safety manager for Northwest Airlines. She was hired full time by the Maple Grove, MN, Fire-Rescue Department in 1996, serving as deputy chief for 11 years while continuing with Eagan as an on-call firefighter. Thill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in safety management and has completed all coursework toward a master’s degree in business administration. She received full scholarships to attend Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program and the Naval Postgraduate School’s Executive Leaders program at the Center for Defense and Homeland Security. Thill is a member of Firehouse Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board and of the National Volunteer Fire Council Board of Directors. She received the International Association of Fire Chiefs VCOS John M. Buckman III Leadership Award and the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Fire Officer of the Year Award.