Chief Barbara Tripp to Receive Public Service Honor at Juneteenth Beacon of Change Celebration

Chief Barbara Tripp, Tampa’s first female fire chief, is being recognized as the Public Service Honoree at the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Beacon of Change Celebration. Image retrieved from Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Facebook Page.

Chief Barbara Tripp will be recognized as the Public Service Honoree at the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Beacon of Change Celebration, honoring a career grounded in public safety, community service and historic leadership in Tampa Bay.

Hosted by the USF Black Alumni Society and the COACH Foundation, the celebration will spotlight local changemakers whose work has strengthened the region through business, public service, nonprofit leadership, and civic engagement. Tripp’s recognition highlights her decades of service to Tampa residents and her role in shaping a stronger, safer, and more prepared community.

A Tampa native and Hillsborough High School graduate, Tripp first served in the United States Navy before returning home to build a career with Tampa Fire Rescue. Over the years, she served across the department as a firefighter, paramedic, field training officer, lieutenant, captain, acting district chief, quality assurance officer, rescue division supervisor, and rescue division chief.

In 2021, Tripp became the first female fire chief in Tampa Fire Rescue history. Her appointment marked a historic moment for the department and reflected the years of experience, training, and leadership she brought to the role after rising through nearly every level of fire service.

Her background as a registered nurse, combined with advanced degrees in emergency management and nursing, has helped shape the way she approaches crisis response, training, and community preparedness. That same commitment to care is reflected in her work beyond the firehouse, where she has mentored youth, supported families in need, and remained connected to the residents she serves. 

Her recognition as a Public Service Honoree celebrates leaders in government, education, and advocacy whose work continues to create safer and more equitable communities.

The 2nd Annual Juneteenth Beacon of Change Celebration will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the USF Alumni Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa, with dinner served at 7 p.m. The evening will honor Tripp and other Tampa Bay leaders whose service continues to leave a lasting mark on the region.

Share Your News

To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube.

More Photos

Recently, Chief Tripp spoke as keynote at the Athena Society May luncheon, celebrating women who are continuing to push forward in their education, careers, and leadership, and honoring the 2026 Phyllis P. Marshall Career Assistance Grant recipients. Image retrieved from Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Facebook Page.

This year’s Beacon of Change recipients include Chief Barbara Tripp and Chief Watts for public service, Dr. Tucker-Johnson as Legacy Builder, Ashley Morrow as Community Champion, and Sam Barrington for Business Impact. Flyer Retrieved from USF Black Alumni Association Instagram Page.

Chief Tripp image retrieved from Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Facebook Page.