Golden's New Female Fire Chief Will Be A Regional Pathbreaker

GOLDEN, CO – The City of Golden has appointed Alicia Welch as the new fire chief for the Golden Fire Department.

Chief Welch will be the first female fire chief of the Golden Fire Department, the first full-time female fire chief in the Denver metro area, and one of only about 50 across the country to achieve this top rank, the city said in a press release.

Chief John Bales, who had served in the position since 2001, has announced his retirement.

Welch was one of 60 candidates who applied after a national search, the city said.

Welch served for more than 26 years in the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in California. Her final assignment, prior to her retirement from LAFD in 2017, focused on the department’s recruitment plan and improving workforce diversity within the department, a press release said. Welch relocated to the Golden area after retiring.

"It was after she already moved to Colorado that she learned of the job and was inspired to apply for the opportunity to lead Golden’s mostly volunteer fire department," the city said.

According to a press statement, Welch earned her BA in Recreation Management from California State University, Long Beach in 1990. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security/National Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and she is a graduate of the highly acclaimed Los Angeles Police Department West Point Leadership Academy.

Welch was part of a team that responded to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as part of LAFD’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team. In 2009, Welch was selected as one of three distinguished fellows to work with the Department of Homeland Security/ FEMA on a year-long assignment in developing a national preparedness model called Ready Responder.

"Beyond her extraordinary record of service and academic credentials, Alicia stood out because of her deep dedication and passion to the fire service," said Golden City Manager Jason Slowinski in a statement. "That devotion extends to the men and women who are called to that service, and to her commitment to leading a department that leverages the strength of its team members in service to the community. Alicia fully understands what it means to be a part of the Golden community and I am confident that she will lead the Golden Fire Department with pride and distinction."

Welch will be sworn in as the new Golden fire chief on Monday, Nov. 26.

Image via LAFD

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