Keith Powers, Director/Fire Chief

Chief Keith Powers leads the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, an organization with almost 1,900 uniformed personnel, 68 fire and rescue stations and a budget of approximately $400 million. His tenure with JFRD exceeds two decades and includes more than ten years of administrative experience, serving as the Division Chief of Operations, the Captain of JFRD's Tactical Support Facility, and as Interim Director/Fire Chief. He was appointed as Director/Fire Chief in November 2019, and City Council unanimously confirmed Powers' appointment on January 14, 2020.

Keith’s fire service career began with the Nassau County Fire Rescue department in 1994. Two years later, the Jacksonville native realized his dream and became a member of JFRD. His first assignment was Fire Station 17, located in Woodstock Park off Beaver Street. He was promoted through the ranks of engineer, lieutenant and captain, and deployed across the state on several large wildland fires during the 1998 fire season and deployed with the Urban Search and Rescue Team during Hurricane Katrina. During his time in the field, Powers received six departmental awards for his actions on calls.

Powers joined JFRD's administrative team in 2013 when he was chosen to manage JFRD’s Tactical Support Facility. In that role he was responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the 550 vehicles assigned to the fire department. Those vehicles include pumpers, ladders, tankers, rescues, marine units, and light cars and trucks. In February 2015, he was assigned the additional duties of overseeing construction projects and the maintenance of JFRD’s then-58 fire stations.