Fire Chief

Fire and Emergency Services Chief Latosha Clemons

Chief Latosha Clemons is the “first” in her family to join the fire service, a career she had not thought possible to pursue. She currently serves as the City of Forest Park's first African American woman fire chief and is a strong advocate for high-quality leadership and professionalism. With more than 25 years of fire service experience,  she began her career with the Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Department in 1996 as the first African American woman in the department’s history. Clemons took advantage of every opportunity for academic and professional growth and rose through the ranks from a probationary firefighter EMT, paramedic, operator engineer, lieutenant, captain and battalion chief, and was promoted through every rank - always in the top three - which resulted in her eventually becoming a deputy fire chief.

Education and Affiliations

Academics and professional development have always been a priority for Chief Clemons. She completed an associate degree in emergency medical services, an associate degree in fire science, a bacheclor's degree in organizational leadership and a master's degree in executive management. She also attended the Carl Holmes Development Institute an Executive Management Program at Dillard University. Chief Clemons is a graduate of the four-year National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officers Program in Emmitsburg Maryland and recently, a proud graduate of the Fire Service Development Program. She has an array of certifications and licensure from various conferences, training facilities and institutions. Her professional affiliations include both the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters and the Standing President of Gold Coast Progressive Firefighters. She is also a member of Women in Fire serving as the Southeast Trustee, a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a proud member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) serving as president of the South Palm Beach County Chapter. NCBW is an advocacy organization with more than 3,000 professional women in 62 chapters across 27 states. Cheif Clemons has a passion for community, which motivates her to continue growing in her personal and professional life while advocating on behalf of black women and girls. One of her favorite quotes is by Rosa Parks :“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”