ARIZONA NEWS
Michael Duran to replace retiring Kara Kalkbrenner as chief of Phoenix Fire Department
Jan 25, 2022, 5:18 PM | Updated: Jan 26, 2022, 7:16 am
Michael Duran, left, was selected to replace Kara Kalkbrenner as chief of the Phoenix Fire Department after she retires on Feb. 22, 2022. (City of Phoenix Photos)
(City of Phoenix Photos)
PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix on Tuesday announced Michael Duran will serve as the new fire chief of the Phoenix Fire Department, replacing the retiring Kara Kalkbrenner.
Kalkbrenner will retire on Feb. 22 after being with the agency since 1985.
Duran, a 27 year veteran of the department, serves as assistant chief and is tasked with supervising the medical and support service division, the city said in a press release.
“As the fire chief, I will prioritize innovative opportunities to improve the safety and services of our system,” Duran said in the release. “I am committed to creating a positive and equitable environment while promoting the development and sustainability of our organization.”
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Duran is a Phoenix native and a second-generation firefighter.
“Chief Duran has worked his way up through the ranks and has touched nearly every department throughout his career,” Kalkbrenner said in a statement. “He is innovative and will move our department forward. Chief Duran’s relationships in the community, within the department, and the city are key to his success.”
Over the past two decades, Duran has also been deputy chief of the central division and division chief of the facilities management and homeland defense bureaus, the city said.
“Mike Duran has been a valued leader throughout his years of service, and especially recently as he has overseen the expansion of the Community Assistance Program in response to the mental health crisis,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in the release.
“I am confident Chief Duran will ensure our city’s firefighters provide quality protection and life safety services and will be a valuable mentor and ethical leader to grow the next cohort of public safety teams integral to our community.”
Kalkbrenner announced in December 2019 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery two days later.
A reason for Kalkbrenner’s retirement was not provided.
