Seward Deputy Fire Chief Katherine McCoy is presented the 2024 Ken Akerley Fire Service Leadership Award by State Fire Marshal Lloyd Nakano at Seward Fire Department in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites)

Seward Deputy Fire Chief Katherine McCoy is presented the 2024 Ken Akerley Fire Service Leadership Award by State Fire Marshal Lloyd Nakano at Seward Fire Department in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites)

Seward deputy fire chief earns state leadership award

Katherine McCoy this month received the 2024 Ken Akerley Fire Service Leadership Award.

Katherine McCoy, deputy chief of the Seward Fire Department, this month was awarded the 2024 Ken Akerley Fire Service Leadership Award by the state fire marshal, who surprised her with the honor during a staff meeting in Seward.

As State Fire Marshal Lloyd Nakano announced the award and described its recipient, McCoy said Tuesday, she was wondering who it would be.

“I did not think it was going to be my name,” she said. “I’m incredibly humbled and appreciative of it.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

In a letter of nomination penned by Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites and addressed to Assistant State Fire Marshal Mark Brauneis, the chief writes that McCoy boasts 15 years of firefighting experience, five in Seward preceded by 10 at Yellowstone National Park.

As deputy chief, McCoy said, she takes the lead on operations. That means training staff, maintaining apparatus and working to strengthen the program so it can better serve its public. That’s important work that she’s able to take off Crites, who in turn leads work on the budget and other oversight.

“Chief McCoy is quite literally the glue that keeps the Seward Fire Department running smoothly and efficiently,” Crites writes. “Chief McCoy is a no-nonsense leader that has the entire department’s support and following.”

He credits McCoy with training and mentoring the staff and volunteers of the department, saying that she’s distinguished herself at the department and to city departments beyond for her work ethic and integrity.

“I can truly say I would follow her through any door,” writes Firefighter Morgan Woodard in the letter. “There is no one who works harder, demands more of themself, of aspires to lift others up more than Deputy Chief McCoy.”

On Monday, Crites wrote to the Clarion that the recognition granted to McCoy with the state award demonstrates both the respect she’s earned as a leader in their field through her own “hard work and dedication” and reflects well on the talent of the Seward Fire Department.

“I was a firefighter in a different department that had good leadership — you can see how leadership strengthens a department,” McCoy said. “I want to be a leader for folks who can do well and benefit from it … I feel very lucky to be here, and it’s really nice to see the feedback.”

For more information, find “Seward Volunteer Fire Department” on Facebook.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Seward Deputy Fire Chief Katherine McCoy stands for a photo with Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites and Assistant State Fire Marshal Mark Brauneis after McCoy was presented the 2024 Ken Akerley Fire Service Leadership Award at Seward Fire Department in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites)

Seward Deputy Fire Chief Katherine McCoy stands for a photo with Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites and Assistant State Fire Marshal Mark Brauneis after McCoy was presented the 2024 Ken Akerley Fire Service Leadership Award at Seward Fire Department in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites)

More in News

The Ninilchik River on May 18, 2019, in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Ninilchik River to remain closed to king salmon fishing

It was an “error in regulation” that would have opened the Ninilchik River to king salmon fishing on Wednesday.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski woman sentenced to 4 years in prison for 2023 drug death

Lawana Barker was sentenced for her role in the 2023 death of Michael Rodgers.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Seward resident arrested after Monday night police pursuit

Troopers say she led them on a high-speed chase on Kalifornsky Beach Road for around 7 miles.

Concert-goers listen to The Discopians at Concert on the Lawn on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Karen Hornaday Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
‘Dancing at the end of the world’

KBBI AM 890 hosted their annual Concert on the Lawn Saturday.

Lisa Gabriel unfurls a set beach seine during a test fishery for the gear near Clam Gulch, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seine test fishery continues after board of fish calls for more data

The east side setnet fishery has been entirely closed in recent years to protect Kenai River king salmon

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA opens bids for real property

The deadline to submit bids is 5 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in