Former Lexington EMS Director Erika King recently took over as Fire Chief in Lexington, becoming the first female Fire Chief in the city’s history.

King recently took some time to answer a few questions from the Lexington News.

Q: What is your background in EMS/fire service?

I’ve been in healthcare in some form since I was old enough to work. I actually started as a lifeguard, which is where I first learned CPR and basic rescue skills, and I kind of fell in love with emergency care and the science behind it, from there.

After that, I became a CNA, then went on to get my EMT and Paramedic through Penn Valley. I worked for a busy suburban ambulance service while also going to school for nursing, and I worked in both roles through the pandemic. Nursing gave me a really strong overall patient-care perspective, but my heart has always been in prehospital emergency work.

When I moved to Lexington in 2017, I started volunteering with the fire department, learned fire skills and received formal fire training, and what started as a way to get involved quickly turned into something I was really passionate about.

Q: Where are you originally from?

I’m originally from Kansas City. I moved to Lexington in 2017 after meeting my husband, who’s a lifelong resident. It didn’t take long for it to feel like home.

Q: Tell me about your family.

My husband and I have two daughters, and we’re raising them here in Lexington. That definitely adds another layer of meaning to the work I do.

Q: What made you want to apply for the Fire Chief position? What did you learn from former Fire Chief Jim Martin?

I learned a lot from Jim. He really valued growth and continuous learning, and he was a strong mentor for me. I had the chance to oversee EMS while he was Chief, so I learned a lot about how everything fits together on a larger scale.

When I stepped into the Interim Chief role, it gave me a better understanding of the responsibility and how important consistency is for both our staff and the community. I had already been part of the department’s growth, and I felt like I wasn’t quite done contributing yet.

I was also encouraged by people in the community to apply, which meant a lot. It just felt like the right time to step into that role fully.

Q: What is the importance of a strong fire department to a town like Lexington?

In a small town, the fire department really is a big part of the backbone of the community. You’re working with fewer resources and people, so teamwork, training, and relationships become even more important.

People trust that when they call 911, someone capable is going to show up and help them, and that’s something we take seriously. At the end of the day, it’s about providing a level of service that we’d feel confident our own families receiving.

Q: Have you thought much about becoming the first female Fire Chief in Lexington’s history? What does that mean to you?

It’s not something I necessarily set out to do, but it’s definitely not lost on me what it means. It’s an honor, and it also comes with a sense of responsibility.

Fire and EMS are still pretty maledominated fields, so I hope this reflects some of the progress being made. Ultimately, I just want to do the job well and continue building something strong for our department and our community, but if it also helps open the door for someone else down the line, that’s pretty special too.