ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – St. Petersburg has appointed Keith Watts as the new Fire Chief of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue. Watts is the first African-American to hold this position in the department’s 117-year history.
With over 30 years of experience in public safety and organizational management, Watts brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the role. He joined St. Petersburg Fire Rescue in 2018 as Division Chief of Administration and has been serving as Interim Fire Chief.
“I am proud to announce Keith Watts as our new Fire Chiefthis is a historic moment for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue,” said Mayor Welch. “With his leadership and longtime career in public safety, I am confident he will continue to uphold the high standards of service our community deserves. Chief Watts brings both experience and dedication, and I look forward to working with him on making intentional progress within the department and throughout St. Pete.”
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Chief Watts’ Vision
Chief Watts outlined his priorities for the department, which include:
- Enhancing emergency response capabilities
- Advancing firefighter training programs
- Increasing public safety awareness
- Modernizing departmental operations to meet the city’s evolving needs
Chief Watts shared, “I am deeply honored to serve as Fire Chief for this dedicated team of professionals. Together, we will continue to prioritize safety, innovation, and community engagement, ensuring that we remain a strong and reliable presence for the people we serve. I am eager to build on St. Petersburg Fire Rescue’s foundation while advancing our mission to serve and protect the lives and properties of the St. Pete community.”
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Watts began his career in public safety with Orange County Fire Rescue in 1991, where he held various leadership roles. He also served as a Combat Medic in the Florida Army National Guard and was awarded the Florida Commendation Medal for his lifesaving efforts during Hurricane Andrew.
Commitment to Community and Diversity
Watts has been actively involved in community initiatives, including the launch of “Camp Ignite,” an all-female firefighting camp aimed at empowering young women and introducing them to careers in the fire service.
Education and Leadership
Watts holds a Master’s in Management degree from the University of Central Florida and numerous professional certifications, including Chief Fire Officer credentials. He is a graduate of Leadership St. Pete and the Eckerd College Leadership Development program and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the fire service.
A pinning ceremony and swearing-in for Chief Watts will be announced soon.
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