SPOKANE, Wash. — The city of Spokane officially has a new fire Chief.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown announced Tuesday she appointed current interim chief Julie O'Berg to be the permanent Spokane Fire Department Chief. O'Berg has been serving as the interim fire chief since January 2024 and is the first woman appointed to lead the department. Her appointment will be official once it is approved by the Spokane City Council.
“I am thrilled Chief O’Berg has agreed to stay with the Spokane Fire Department and step into this role," Brown said in a statement. "While we originally discussed that she would not seek the permanent position, I am glad she reconsidered. I have reviewed internal survey results, received feedback, and seen Chief O’Berg’s performance over the past few months. She is an effective and well-respected leader who is a tremendous asset to our fire department and the Spokane community."
O'Berg takes the position with nearly three decades of experience as a firefighter and paramedic in the Kansas City Metro area. She served the roles of lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and training officer during her time in Kansas City. She also has experience with the Kansas State Incident Management Team.
O'Berg has served as deputy chief of operations with SFD since 2020.
“I am honored and humbled to be appointed as Spokane’s Fire Chief. I am grateful to Mayor Brown and the city leadership for their trust and confidence in me. I am committed to advancing the mission of the Spokane Fire Department, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Spokane community, and supporting the dedicated firefighters and personnel who serve with distinction every day,” Chief O’Berg said. “As a department, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of service, professionalism, and innovation. As a department, we will continue to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of our community while honoring our traditions. I look forward to working collaboratively with city officials, community partners, and department members to ensure the continued success and effectiveness of the Spokane Fire Department.”
Spokane City Council is scheduled to approve O'Berg as fire chief on Monday, April 22.
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