Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has announced the appointment of Keith Watts as the new Fire Chief for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue. Chief Watts, who joined the department in 2018 and most recently served as Interim Fire Chief, becomes the first African-American to hold this position in the organization’s history.
Mayor Welch expressed confidence in Chief Watts’ leadership, stating, “I am proud to announce Keith Watts as our new Fire Chief—this is a historic moment for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.” He added that with Watts’ extensive experience in public safety, he believes that high standards of service will be maintained for the community.
Chief Watts will focus on enhancing emergency response capabilities and advancing firefighter training programs. His goals also include increasing public safety awareness and modernizing departmental operations to meet the needs of St. Petersburg residents.
In his own words, Chief Watts said, “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.”
Chief Watts began his career with Orange County Fire Rescue (OCFR) in 1991 and was awarded the Florida Commendation Medal for lifesaving efforts during Hurricane Andrew’s aftermath. At OCFR, he held various leadership roles including Battalion Chief of Special Projects.
Recently, in collaboration with Pinellas County Urban League, he helped launch “Camp Ignite,” an all-female firefighting camp aimed at empowering teenage girls by introducing them to fire service.
Chief Watts holds a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Central Florida and several professional certifications including Chief Fire Officer credentials. He is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace.
Reporting directly to Mayor Welch as part of his executive cabinet, Chief Watts’ appointment is effective immediately. A pinning ceremony will be announced soon.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue serves approximately 300,000 citizens over a 70 square mile area with nearly 400 personnel providing various emergency services.
