City of Rochester
News Release
RFD Chief Felipe Hernandez Announces Retirement After 23 Years on the Force; Deputy Chief Teresa Everett to Serve as Interim Chief During Search
(Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023) – Rochester Fire Department Chief Felipe Hernandez has announced his retirement, effective Feb. 10, 2023. Chief Hernandez has served 23 years with the department, climbing the ranks to Interim Chief in March 2021 and to Chief in January 2022.
“I appreciate the decades Chief Hernandez has committed to the RFD and to the safety of the citizens of Rochester,” said Mayor Evans.
The search for Rochester’s next Fire Chief is underway. The city is engaging an executive search firm to implement an nationwide search.
During the search, RFD’s Executive Deputy Chief of Administration Teresa Everett will serve as Interim Chief. Interim Chief Everett has served in leadership roles with the RFD for nearly four years, and previously served as Deputy Fire Chief in Baltimore, Md., and as Fire Chief in Gary, Ind.
“Teresa Everett brings unparalleled experience to the Interim Chief role, and I thank her for her continued leadership as we identify the next permanent Chief of the RFD,” Mayor Evans said. “She has expressed her intention to retire later this year and is the ideal person to serve as the department’s leader during the search.”