CHIEF MELISSA HILPERT

YUMA COUNTY, AZ

Chief Hilpert began her career with Rural Metro Fire as a reserve firefighter and EMT in 2000. In her tenure, she has also served as a certified paramedic firefighter, wildland firefighter, crew boss, rescue diver, EMS captain, EMS chief and assistant fire chief. A 22-year veteran of Rural Metro, Hilpert is among a very small number of women in fire service. According to a 2018 report from the National Fire Protection Agency, just eight percent of firefighters in the U.S. are women; even fewer are in leadership positions. Chief Hilpert is Rural Metro Fire’s first female fire chief in the 75-year history of the organization.

Chief Hilpert is responsible for oversight and operation of Rural Metro Fire’s Yuma County, Arizona operations.  Her goals are to bring a renewed focus on public service, community engagement and volunteerism to the department.

Chief Hilpert shares, “I am very passionate about keeping the service mindset. Our department exists to serve others. Sometimes when the shifts are long, and the work is particularly hard, we can lose focus of our mission, which is to put the needs of others ahead of our own. I want community members to be able to feel a personal connection with the people that work in this department.”

Chief Hilpert is married and a mother of three grown children and one Boston terrier. She also has six grandchildren and spends most of her spare time enjoying her family. Chief Hilpert loves the outdoors and participates in all kinds of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, hunting, and scuba diving as well as strength training and competitions.