Associated Press Published

West Virginia's First Female Fire Chief Wins National Award

Jan Rader - Huntington Fire Chief

The chief of the Huntington, West Virginia, Fire Department has been named as the American Legion’s national firefighter of the year.

Chief Jan K. Rader received the award at the American Legion’s 101st National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Wednesday night.

Rader is the state’s first female fire chief after having been a firefighter for nearly 25 years.

The American Legion says it gives the annual award to a firefighter who exceeds the requirements of their position and shows a pattern of community service. The group noted Rader’s work on opioid addiction in Huntington as reason why she won.

Rader says she’s humbled by the award.