Kris Larson is a 33-year veteran of the Los Angeles City Fire Department and currently holds the rank of Assistant Chief. In her early career, she held the rank of Fire Inspector, and subsequently was the first African American woman to be promoted to the rank of Captain I, Captain II, Battalion Chief and Assistant Chief in the history of the LAFD. She was also the first African American woman to serve as Drill Master for the Fire Academy.
Kris earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCLA while achieving the distinction of becoming a three time All-American as a track and field athlete. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from Capella University with a master’s degree in Public Service Leadership with an emphasis in Emergency Management. She is completed a DEI certification program through Cornell University.
Kris also serves the community as President of Los Angeles Women in the Fire Service, and is vice president of the Board of Directors for Camp Blaze, a fire camp for young women held in Washington State. She is also a founding member of Equity in Fire, a grassroots coalition of firefighters, civil rights leaders, and community members working to achieve equity and an end to discrimination in the fire service. In 2022, Kris was awarded the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California for her work with Equity on Fire.
Kris’ current assignment with the LAFD is the Assistant Fire Marshal.