Katie Collins-Kalbaugh was promoted from captain to deputy chief within the Chicopee Fire Department on Oct. 20.
Photo credit: City of Chicopee- Mayor’s Office and the Chicopee Fire Department
CHICOPEE — Katie Collins-Kalbaugh is no stranger to making Chicopee history within the city’s Fire Department. On Oct. 20, when Collins-Kalbaugh was promoted from captain to deputy chief, she became the first woman to hold the role within the Chicopee Fire Department.
But that’s not all.
Since joining the department in April 2003, she also became the first female firefighter and the first to earn paramedic certification in the Fire Department.
As she moved through the ranks, she became the first female lieutenant, first female captain and now first female deputy chief in Chicopee history.
“I don’t say it for any other reason than I want everyone else to know whether you’re first or whether you’re later, it’s a place where all women belong or any individuals belong,” Collins-Kalbaugh said.
Collins-Kalbaugh has served different roles within the Fire Department including firefighter, EMT and dispatcher. She continued as an EMS lieutenant and then as a fire prevention officer, lieutenant, and captain before becoming deputy chief.
Now in her new role, which she will begin on Nov. 2, Collins-Kalbaugh will oversee different areas of the department such as fire prevention, public information, public education and community reduction initiative; work she said she has always enjoyed.
Collins-Kalbaugh said the Fire Department has a lot of administrative work to do, adding that the fire prevention office helps prevent fires and reduce emergency responses.
“I’ve always been very interested in reducing risk to the community, preventing fires and being proactive at preventing emergencies throughout the community,” she stated.
Collins-Kalbaugh also talked about the different emotions and overwhelming support she has received since the promotion ceremony.
“I’m truly grateful and honored and humbled all at the same time,” she stated. “I’m grateful that they’ve placed their trust in me and I’m honored to serve our community, and the response has been very humbling. People have been very kind.”
During the promotion ceremony hosted by the city of Chicopee, Kirsten Therrien was promoted to captain, while Eric Rogers, Norman Collins, Justin Clark, and Christopher Ferrari were promoted to lieutenant.
Collins-Kalbaugh said everyone should be proud, no matter the new role, because the rigorous process included an exam and a full evaluation assessment.
“Anyone that even passes one of these exams should be really proud of themselves,” Collins-Kalbaugh said.
The Chicopee Fire Department posted a message of congratulations on Facebook to all six promotions.
“We wish them continued success as they take on their new roles and responsibilities. Thank you all for your dedication and service to the Chicopee community,” it read.
Collins-Kalbaugh shared a message to the community, saying it has always been very receptive to the programs she has helped create, especially the free smoke alarm installation programs and other public education programs.
“I’m grateful for their support of these initiatives that help reduce risk throughout the community, and then the support that I received on the promotion was just overwhelming, and I’m just filled with gratitude, and I just really plan to work hard and try to be a leader within the community,” Collins-Kalbaugh said.
