After a rigorous search and interview process, Interim City Manager John P. Curp, is pleased to announce the Cincinnati Fire Department’s newest Assistant Fire Chief, Kenneth C. Caldwell. Assistant Chief Caldwell will be leading the City’s Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Division. He has a Fire Service and Technology Associate Degree from Cincinnati State and is currently finishing the Fire Administration Bachelor program at Columbia Southern University. 

 “We couldn’t be more pleased to see Assistant Chief Caldwell continue his public service with us in this critical leadership role. Not only is he highly qualified, but he is also a product of Cincinnati and longtime resident who has shown a strong commitment to our community and those he serves,” said Interim City Manager John P. Curp. He continued, “We are confident he is the right person for the job and are excited to see him assume his new duties.”  

 About Assistant Chief Kenneth C. Caldwell 

Assistant Chief Caldwell started his career in the fire service as a Fire Cadet in 2000. He was selected to join the Cincinnati Fire Department as a Fire Recruit in 2002. After completing his training, he was assigned to Ladder 23 and later Engine 23. Caldwell promoted to Lieutenant in 2011, Captain in 2013, and District Chief in 2017. He traveled in District 1 as a Lieutenant and served Spring Grove Village/Winton Terrace and Clifton as a Captain. As a District Chief, he traveled in all four fire districts. In 2020, Caldwell transferred to the Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Division, where he has worked to improve safety and minimize risk in the City of Cincinnati through various programs and processes. During his time as District Chief in Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction, Chief Caldwell helped move the Department to an annual billing cycle, which will generate $300,000. He assisted with the submission of a $115,000 grant to procure a new educational fire safe house. 

Chief Caldwell served on multiple committees with the Fire Fighters Union Local 48 from 2005 to 2019, including Ad Hoc executive board member. He served as the 2^nd Vice President of the Cincinnati African American Firefighters Association from 2016-2019, and he currently serves in that same capacity for the North Central Region International Association of Black Professional Firefighters.  

Chief Caldwell was born and raised in Cincinnati, attending Cincinnati Public Schools. He is a resident of Mt. Airy and a proud husband and father of four children. We look forward to what Assistant Chief Caldwell will bring to the Cincinnati Fire Department in his promoted role. 

About the Division of Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction 

This Division of Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction is charged with several objectives focused on the preservation of lives through identifying areas of fire prevention through code enforcement and education, as well as identifying the cause and origin of fires that occur within the city. This division takes the lead in ensuring the installation and maintenance of fire protection equipment and systems as well as monitoring the storage and handling of hazardous materials and substances.  Public education is also a priority with special attention given to the community youth as well as seniors in our city.  This division is host to Fire Inspection Specialists, Fire Investigators, Environmental Crime Unit and the Youth Fire Intervention personnel. 

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