Congratulations to new MFD Deputy Chief Sharon Purifoy
Statement of Common Council President Cavalier Johnson December 21, 2020
Sharon P. Purifoy. Photo from the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Earlier this month, Sharon P. Purifoy was named Deputy Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department. The promotion is historic as Deputy Chief Purifoy is the first African American female to be elevated to the vitally important Deputy Chief position.
On behalf of the Common Council, I offer my sincere and hearty congratulations to Deputy Chief Purifoy on her well-deserved promotion.
Deputy Chief Purifoy entered the Fire Academy in April 2003, graduated in August 2003, and was then assigned to Engine 2 and graduated paramedic school. She was assigned to MED 5 in June 2008, was promoted to lieutenant in December 2011, was appointed as the director of the Survive Alive House in December 2013, was promoted to fire captain in January 2017, was appointed MFD Recruiting Director in December 2018 and was promoted to Battalion Chief in May 2019. Additionally, she has been an active member of the MFD’s Strategic Planning Committee.
Deputy Chief Purifoy is only the second African-American woman to be promoted to the ranks of lieutenant, captain and battalion chief, and she has also helped lead the MFD’s very first all-female engine company.
A registered Paramedic since 2012, Deputy Chief Purifoy is perfectly suited to lead the department’s Emergency Medical Services Division – a posting that carries tremendous responsibility, particularly as the MFD plays a vital role in the city’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) response.
Deputy Chief Purifoy has shown a commitment to recruiting and mentoring young firefighters, and supporting them as they progress through their careers. She also leads by example, showing other women of color in our city that they too can join the MFD and succeed!
I look forward to watching Deputy Chief Purifoy’s continued excellence in service to Milwaukee.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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