Broadview’s 1st Female Fire Chief to Retire

(Broadview, IL) – The Village of Broadview’s first female fire chief is set to retire.

After more than 20 years as a first responder – including as a firefighter and paramedic – and the last eight years as the Broadview Fire Department’s chief, Tracy Kenny has announced her retirement.

Kenny, one of only six female fire chiefs in Illinois, has served her entire first responder career in Broadview, being appointed Deputy Chief in 2014 and promoted to chief in 2015.

“Women firefighters have been rare in Illinois and fire chiefs have been rarer,” said Kenny. “One of the greatest challenges of being hired into the fire service as a female is passing the physical fitness test, but that challenge can be overcome with the correct training, and I can say that the exhilaration of the work and its importance to community safety has been deeply rewarding to me.”

Mayor hails Kenny’s “deep dedication” to Broadview.

“Chief Kenny’s deep dedication to Broadview and its residents for more than 20-years has made Broadview a better community and a safer community,” said Mayor Katrina Thompson. “Chief Kenny also blended supreme professionalism with ultimate consideration and kindness in her daily work with colleagues, peers, and residents, and I can say that I will dearly miss her at Village Hall.”

In addition to her post in Broadview, Kenny is also a member of the International Women's Fire Chiefs Council, a Past President of Metropolitan Chiefs of Illinois, a board member for Illinois Medal of Honor Committee, and an Illinois Fire Chiefs Executive Board Women in Fire Service representative.

Additionally, Kenny has been a community leader and innovator. Kenny started the Fire Explorer Program for youth in the Village of Broadview and surrounding areas. The program was designed as a mentoring and educational advancement program into the fire service. In the summer of 2018, she started camp #WECANTOO that educates young girls on their ability to perform jobs that were once male dominated.

“A woman is capable of performing as well as any man in any job,” said Kenny. “And that is a message that I want to send to all young girls who are planning and dreaming about their future.”

Two of Kenny’s three children have followed their mom in the first responder field. Her son, Casey, is a firefighter in the United States Air Force and her daughter, Tricia, is a police officer in Broadview. Her daughter Keeley is her final semester at Illinois State University, majoring in education.

davidormsby@davidormsby.com