Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker will serve as interim chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department following the retirement of Chief Bryan Tyner at the end of the month. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Rucker’s appointment on Monday, highlighting her leadership and decades of dedication to the department.
“Chief Rucker has earned the trust and respect of this department and our city over more than two decades of service,” said Mayor Frey in a provided statement. “She’s a steady, experienced leader who understands what it takes to keep Minneapolis safe, support our firefighters, and move the department forward. I’m grateful she’s stepping into this role and confident the fire department will remain in strong hands during this transition.”
Rucker, who joined the department in 1999, will become the first Black woman and second-ever woman to lead the department. She has held various roles, including captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief, according to a press release.
