Louis Krauss

Star Tribune

(TNS)

The city of Minneapolis swore in Reginald “Reggie” Freeman as its new permanent fire chief Tuesday, bringing in a new leader with experience on both coasts of the country and internationally.

Freeman, the 19th fire chief in the city’s history, fills the role previously held by Chief Bryan Tyner, who retired at the end of 2025 after 30 years with the department. Assistant Chief Melanie Rucker had served as acting chief since Jan. 1.

One of his priorities as chief is to ensure his firefighters’ wellbeing and protect them from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Freeman said in an interview at Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony in City Hall.

“If they’re not of sound mind, or they’re not physically able to do their job, then they can’t take care of our community,” Freeman said. “And so first I have to make sure that they have all the tools and resources that they need.”

The city said in a news release that Freeman will focus on firefighter wellness, recruitment and retention in addition to continued modernization of the department.

Mayor Jacob Frey nominated Freeman in May following a nationwide search, and the City Council confirmed him in July on a 10-2 vote for a term ending in January 2030.

Freeman has been a fire chief in Oakland, Calif., and Hartford, Conn. His most recent job was as executive director of fire and emergency medical services in Saudi Arabia.

Rucker, who now returns to her role as assistant fire chief, gave her support of Freeman in the permanent role, saying “I believe we’re in good hands, capable hands.”

Freeman recently bought a house in south Minneapolis and moved in with his wife and two daughters. So far he’s “loving every second” of his new locale, he said.

“It’s a beautiful city,” he said. “I love the diversity of the city. I love the resilience of the city.”

Freeman previously applied to be the city’s fire chief in 2020 when Tyner was selected. After serving as what he called a “change agent” fire chief who moved around for years, Freeman said he’s looking forward to putting down roots in Minneapolis.

The new chief is a native of Mississippi, and the city’s third Black fire chief. He described experiencing racism in his first fire department job in Mississippi, where he would hear racist remarks and once found a noose left in his locker.

Ensuring employees and residents are treated fairly — unlike his experiences in the South — is one reason he wanted to step into leadership roles to begin with, Freeman added.

Other top city leaders shook hands with Freeman and his family at the ceremony.

“Our expectations are high, but my confidence that you will exceed those expectations is also high and just as lofty,” Frey said.

The nationwide search for fire chief was led by Public Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, who plans to step down from his position at the end of the year.

Freeman focused his speech on his priority to ensure the wellbeing of firefighters and making sure that city residents are served with compassion.

“When you call us, on what may be the worst day of your life, our responsibility is very simple: show up, treat you with dignity, treat you with compassion, be competent, be professional, and do everything within our ability to make your situation better.”

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