By Will Farrington and Grace Hebron
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writers
The Baltimore County Council made history Monday by unanimously confirming Joanne Rund as the county’s first permanent female fire chief.
Rund was confirmed by the council as more than 15 members of the Baltimore County Fire Department stood and applauded.
“We have a wonderful fire department and we look forward to working with Joanne,” said Tom Quirk, the council’s chairperson. “Baltimore County is very lucky to have her.”
Rund previously served in the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services for 32 years, most recently serving as assistant chief of the Occupational Safety and Health Bureau.
She takes over for Acting Fire Chief Jennifer Aubert-Utz, who has led the department since the January departure of Chief Kyrle Preis.
Officials said previously that Aubert-Utz will remain with the department as assistant chief.
Rund was among several county department heads nominated by County Executive Johnny Olszewski and confirmed unanimously by the council Monday.
Among those were Ed Blades as acting director of the Office of Budget and Financial Planning, David Lykens as the director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability, and Peter Gutwald as director of the Department of Planning.
Lykens and Gutwald were praised by the council, with Councilman Izzy Patoka, D-Second District, commending Gutwald. “I support Mr. Gutwald,” said Patoka. “We are lucky to be inheriting such an incredible staff and I wish him well.”
Lykens received high praise from Councilman David Marks, R-Fifth District, who dubbed Lykens a “true professional.”
“He has great expertise in this area,” Marks said. “I’m honored to be his councilman.”