OATMAN–There is a new leader at the Oatman Fire Department as the volunteer fire district taps former Yucca Fire District Fire Chief Kathy Jenkins to lead the team.

“I am really excited. Oatman is my maiden Department,” said Jenkins. “I started there in 1993 with Chief Blake and did my Fire I and II there and got my EMT so it’s fitting that near the end of my career, I am ending it where I started.”

Oatman Fire Chief of the Board James Tobin said last week that a new chief would be sworn in during the October 9 board meeting.

Jenkins, who spent five years at the helm of the Yucca Fire District, will replace previous Fire Chief Gary Lambertson. Lambertson became fire chief in 2017 after Rick Leivas resigned.

“Gary has taken a position with the Prescott Fire Department,” said Tobin via email. “He told us he was resigning over the phone and we accepted it. I believe the department will be better in the future.”

The board meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oatman Fire District office, 4948 S. Oatman Highway.