By Charles Borla
The Arizona Daily Star
TUCSON, Ariz. — A familiar face is set to lead the Tucson Fire Department.
Sharon McDonough, currently the director of the Public Safety Communications Department for the city, has been appointed interim fire chief until June 2, when she is expected to take over the department, according to a news release Monday afternoon.
Tucson Fire Chief Chuck Ryan announced his retirement last week.
McDonough has served the majority of her 34 years with the city in the fire department, rising in the ranks from firefighter to deputy chief.
“Sharon has deep roots in Tucson, bringing to this role more than three decades of service in the Fire Department, progressing through the ranks from firefighter, to paramedic, to captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief,” Mayor Regina Romero, said in a news release. “Chief McDonough stabilized our 911 Communications Department, which is the frontline for our first responders, and successfully oversaw the implementation of our 311 system connecting Tucson residents to services. Her career is a reflection of what it means to be a public servant.”
McDonough would be the first woman to serve as Tucson’s fire chief.
“I am honored and excited to be returning to my fire family at TFD, where I started with the City of Tucson in 1990,” she said in the release. “I will deeply miss working directly with my team at the Public Safety Communications Department, where I have proudly served as director for the past four years.”
McDonough said she will use her experience there to “allow our collective public safety team to find efficiencies and make improvements in service.”
“I am grateful for Chief Ryan’s dedication to the safety and health of our community,” said City Manager Timothy Thomure, who appointed McDonough to her new post. “I wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Mike Garcia, the current deputy director of McDonough’s department, was appointed director.
Ryan, the current fire chief, announced last week he would retire effective June 1 . Ryan has served as chief since 2019.
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