Department veteran to become Tampa’s first-ever female fire chief
June 25, 2021 - Barbara Tripp, a 23-year veteran of Tampa’s fire rescue service, is set to make history on Friday as the city’ first-ever female fire chief. Tripp will be sworn in this afternoon by City Clerk Shirley Foxx-Knowles at Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 5. Mayor Jane Castor named Tripp the city’s acting fire chief in November. Tampa City Council on Thursday voted 6-0 to remove the interim tag from her title. Her swearing-in ceremony is planned for 1:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page.