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.”

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)