LEXINGTON, Ky. — After 28 years in the fire department, the Lexington Fire Chief will be retiring in January. 

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry may not always be the easiest, but to Chief Kristin Chilton, changing that mentality was always her goal.

“If they don't see themselves being in that position, then they often don't think they can do it. But when they see other people who look like them doing it, then I think it at least takes them to do the steps to get towards that profession.”

In 2016, Chief Chilton became the first female fire chief for the Lexington Fire Department. She hopes to become a role model to show women what they can accomplish in this industry. After being a part of the department for so long, Chilton says she will miss the people the most. Not only who she works with but the community she served. 

“Every retiree that I have talked to said that's probably you’ll miss the people. Whether it's the people that you work with, and you know we live in a very close-knit community at the station, so it's like your family.”

Chief Chilton looks forward to spending more time with her family traveling and volunteering with different animal welfare organizations once she retires in January. 

“So sometimes I think you don't really realize, you know where you're going to realize where you were. You bet. So I'm really looking forward to the next chapter of my life. I'm doing something different. I've got some other interests or passions in my life.”

Chief Chilton has held many different positions throughout the last 28 years for the Lexington Fire Station. The Lexington Fire Department is currently searching through applicants for Chief Chilton replacements in January.