Peoria Fire First Female Division Chief Retires after 29 years
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: November 16, 2012
PEORIA - The Peoria Fire Department is losing a piece of its history to retirement.
Division Chief Melanie Anderson is ending her run after 29 years with the department. Colleagues, family and friends wished her farewell this afternoon at the main fire station in Peoria.
Anderson was Peoria's first female firefighter in 1983. She went on to become the first female division chief. Of all of her accomplishments, she said the best part has been her work in the community.
"When I go out to the schools, when I go out to different organizations, neighborhood associations, and being able to share fire safety to keep people safe, that's probably been a highlight -- to make an impact in somebody's life," she said.
Anderson says she has no regrets, and she's ready to relax and relocate somewhere that doesn't snow.
Division Chief Melanie Anderson is ending her run after 29 years with the department. Colleagues, family and friends wished her farewell this afternoon at the main fire station in Peoria.
Anderson was Peoria's first female firefighter in 1983. She went on to become the first female division chief. Of all of her accomplishments, she said the best part has been her work in the community.
"When I go out to the schools, when I go out to different organizations, neighborhood associations, and being able to share fire safety to keep people safe, that's probably been a highlight -- to make an impact in somebody's life," she said.
Anderson says she has no regrets, and she's ready to relax and relocate somewhere that doesn't snow.
