Kaye Jernigan has been named Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s new Assistant Fire Chief. The position has been vacant since the retirement of Assistant Fire Chief Gary Farley in March, 2011. Jernigan was selected from among 11 qualified applicants after a rigorous multi-part competitive process. Prior to this advancement, Jernigan was a captain and shift inspector. She will become the highest ranking woman in the department’s history.

She is a native of Rutherford County, and began her career with the Murfreesboro Fire Department in November, 1988 as a firefighter. She has been a Captain/Shift Inspector since 1996. She holds an Associate’s Degree in "Fire Science" from Volunteer State Community College and a liberal arts bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University with a minor in Public Administration. She is State certified as Officer I and II, Instructor I, Safety Officer, Safety Compliance Officer I, Fire Inspector I and is an EMT-IV. She has served on several departmental committees and has participated in public fire education programs.

The new Assistant Fire Chief will be responsible for fire suppression and rescue operations of the department. This includes overseeing 10 fire stations, 170 shift personnel, and multiple apparatus.

“We are looking forward to Assistant Fire Chief Jernigan joining Deputy Fire Chief Roger Toombs and Assistant Fire Chiefs Ken Honeycutt and Allen Swader as a key part of our Administration team,” said Fire Chief Cumbey Gaines. Jernigan commented on her promotion, “I look forward to working with Administration and I appreciate Chief Gaines for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank the people I work with that have supported me throughout my career with the department.”  Jernigan’s first day as Assistant Fire Chief will be August 29, 2011.