Meet Kemplen Robbins

Meet Kemplen Robbins, one of three assistant fire marshals for the Santa Rosa Fire Department and the first female assistant fire marshal in the department’s history. Kemplen manages the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), or hazardous materials program, as well as the Fire Investigation Program. Beyond that, she also assists in daily personnel needs, oversees training and conference schedules, performs hazardous materials plan reviews, and is the co-coordinator for the upcoming Women in Public Safety Day event on March 18th. Kemplen is one smart cookie, earning her BA in Environmental Science and her Master’s in Public Administration. Kemplen began her career working for Marin County Department of Public Works for 10 years as a hazardous materials specialist before applying for an open inspector position with the Santa Rosa Fire Department. In fact, Kemplen forwarded the inspector recruitment flyer to a few friends before a coworker encouraged Kemplen to apply. Kemplen saw the inspector position as a great opportunity to grow professionally and challenge herself in a new environment – so she applied immediately. It was also a perk to work in Sonoma County, closer to home. After 5 years, Kemplen was promoted to her current position of Assistant Fire Marshal. This job constantly challenges her with each day having the potential to look completely different from the next. Kemplen explains that you never get bored. In her position, Kemplen enjoys the best of both worlds – being able to work in both an office and outdoors. But it’s the excellent team she gets to work with that makes the job even better. When Kemplen is not working, she is finding her next adventure with her fiancé, Scott, road-tripping, mushroom foraging, or the endless pursuit to find the best local restaurant, Kemplen keeps her weekends busy! Kemplen credits her success to her close, tight-knit family who always pushed her to work hard for what she wanted to achieve. Kemplen encourages other women to consider a career in the public safety field too. She explains that women bring a unique, important voice, especially in public safety, and that diversity will make these jobs and our teams even stronger. Kemplen’s advice for others? Go for it! Keep evaluating and pursuing your goals. Create a network and reach out when you need to. We are all rooting for you!