New AFD chief

KVUE's Mari Alvarez reports

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For the first time a woman has been named chief of the Austin Fire Department. Rhoda Mae Kerr takes over after the Austin City Council voted unanimously to make her chief on Thursday.

"I want you to know I am humbled by the opportunity," said Kerr, who begins work in February 2009.

Third generation Austin firefighter Julie Brooks stood in support of her new boss.

"You know my grandfather was in the department I don't think there were any females, my stepmother was one of the very first to be hired -- the first captain, yeah, seen a lot of good things happening," said Brooks.

After the vote, Chief Kerr addressed the challenges other women have faced within AFD, including the lack of separate bathrooms.

Since 1999, just six of Austin’s 25 fire stations have been fitted for female facilities.

"They were originally built to house horses so, you can imagine the challenges it becomes when you're trying to house a whole new fire apparatus and technology, and then in case, a mixed work force," said Kerr.

AFD firefighter Bara Scotti voiced her frustration with the restrooms to the city's public service board earlier this month.

Today, Scotti told KVUE New she "feels very positive about Chief Kerr’s appointment and looks forward to working with her."

Work, Kerr says, will include every one of Austin’s firefighters.

"I want to make sure that all of the Austin fire department realizes value and the richness of having a diverse organization," said Kerr.

The former AFD fire chief, J.J. Adame abruptly resigned in May after the city manager publically expressed a lack of confidence in his job performance.

It was that same month the department named Dawn Clopton as its first female assistant fire chief.