Southern Marin Fire Protection District will swear in Heather Marques as fire chief on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 11:30 a.m. at Station 1, 333 Johnson St. in Sausalito, according to the district’s event announcement.

Residents, families and community partners are welcome to attend alongside district personnel, retirees and board members. The district asks for RSVPs by Monday, Oct. 12, via email to [email protected].

Marques brings nearly two decades of Bay Area fire-service experience. She most recently served as division chief of medical services for the Alameda County Fire Department. She began her career with the Emeryville Fire Department in 2006 before joining Alameda County Fire in 2012, according to the district appointment announcement reproduced by the Mill Valley Chamber.

She holds a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, where her research focused on firefighter recruitment and retention, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from UC Berkeley, according to the announcement.

Former Fire Chief Chris Tubbs retired June 30. Tom Welch returned as interim chief during the search, according to the district’s interim-chief announcement.