BULLHEAD CITY – Bullhead City Fire Department recently conducted recruitment for a new fire marshal. Candidates applying for the position endured a four-part testing process. Barbie Skeen-Barrett was the top candidate and accepted the offer to fill the position of fire marshal. The position oversees the Community Risk Reduction Division which responsibilities include code enforcement, public education, fire investigations, and other aspects of community risk reduction.
Barrett has over 18 years of experience in the fire service. Barbie began her career in the fire service with Rural Metro Fire Department, serving as a firefighter/EMT in 2000. She then joined BCFD in 2004 as a public education specialist. She has also held the positions of fire inspector and fire investigator. She was previously serving in the fire marshal role on an interim basis after the retirement of Fire Marshal Jim Dykens on January 1, 2020.
Barrett has an associate’s degree in fire science, a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in fire administration, and a Master’s of Science in Leadership emphasizing executive fire leadership and disaster preparedness from Grand Canyon University. Barrett is also one of seven individuals in the state of Arizona to hold the Fire Marshal designation from the Center for Public Service Excellence, which she obtained in 2019.
Barbie stated that she is eager to serve as BCFD’s first female fire marshal. She recognizes the importance of giving back to the community, leading by example, and performing at the highest level. She hopes to be a positive role model to the girls and young women in the community.
