TAMPA, Fla. — The new Chief of St. Pete Fire Rescue is breaking racial barriers. Keith Watts is the first African American fire chief in the department's 117 year history.

“I never intended to be a fire chief,” Watts said. “It was never a goal of mine. I just wanted to always be the best at whatever I did.”

As head of St. Pete Fire Rescue, Watts said he will look at ways to bring in and retain firefighters.

“How do we prepare ourselves for the growth that’s coming? Hire more people,” Watts said. “Nationwide, there’s been challenges with recruitment and retention in the fire service in general, not just here, but nationwide.”

Watts has been a firefighter for more than 30 years. He spent the last six years as an administrator with St. Pete Fire Rescue. 

Earlier this year, he helped launch St. Pete’s first all-girl firefighting camp. He wanted to introduce teen girls to fire rescue.

Watts said he’s excited about this new opportunity to lead the department.

“It’s always been a passion of mine to serve and to serve the community and to do it in their capacity is tremendous for me,” Watts said. “I am very excited.”

Watts says when he’s finished as chief he wants to be someone who changed the department for the better.

“That I was fair,” he said. “That I was honest. That I was transparent. That I was a good leader. That I left the organization better than I found it.”

Watts is replacing former Fire Chief James Large. Large, who was with St. Pete Fire Rescue for 50 years, recently retired under a cloud of controversy.

He faced allegations of causing a hostile work environment. Large was put on administrative leave, but later reinstated after an investigation showed no wrongdoing.