RetailMeNot challenged Austin Police Department Chief Art Acevedo and Austin Fire Department Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr to a 2-minute Sam’s Club shopping spree to grab gifts for Austin Operation Blue Santa.

Now that a federal judge has approved a settlement between the city of Austin and the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that the city’s Fire Department hiring practices were discriminatory, the Austin Fire Department can resume hiring of cadets. The move provides a path forward for hiring but doesn’t settle an ongoing dispute between …

A plan designed to help communities prevent and respond to wildfires was made official Friday when local officials signed the nearly 1,000-page document that has been several years in the making. Travis County Sam Biscoe, Austin Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr and Texas Forest Service Director Tom Boggus gathered at Austin Community College’s pinnacle campus …

Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr said in a statement that the Fire Department is pleased U.S. District Court Judge Lee Yeakel approved the city’s settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. “This ruling allows us to move forward with our 2013 hiring process, and also with our future recruiting and hiring program,” she said. “We’re …

First woman to hold the office in the Association’s 140-year history Leading the way for women in the fire service once again, the Austin Fire Department’s Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr has been elected to the 1st Vice President position of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) Board of Directors, a first for a …

View the Chief’s “News You Can View”, February 2014.