Assistant Chief Michelle Anne Middlebrooks has been a member of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department for over 23 years, beginning her career as a graduate of the Class of 1998-1. Chief Middlebrooks is currently recognized as the one female assistant chief with AFRD and brings with her extensive experience in downtown, airport, and special operations.

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In 2021, Chief Middlebrooks accepted the position of AssistantChief at the Public Safety Headquarters. In her role, she is responsible for five sections of the Support Services Division. These sections include Background and Recruitment of all new hires, the Accreditation Section, which keeps the department accredited, Airport and Downtown Training Sections, which are responsible for training all new recruits and firefighters, and Assessment andPlanning, which provides the necessary data and research that guide data-driven decision-making to support the overall performance management of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.

Outside of her role as Assistant Chief, she is an active committee member of the AFRD’s Uniforms, Breakfast With Our Bravest, StandardOperating Procedures, and Camp Ignite committees. She is also the Dean of the AtlantaFire Department Paramedic School. With over two decades of experience, Chief Middlebrooks truly enjoys coaching and mentoring younger firefighters. Her passion for the fire service has motivated her participation and leadership with AFRD’s Camp Ignite program. Camp Ignite introduces young women, ages 14-18, to careers in the fire industry through a 3-day girl’s fire camp. Reflecting on her own recruitment experience, Middlebrooks believes it is her responsibility to create opportunities for young women to become firefighters.

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Middlebrooks holds a B.S. in Psychology from National LouisUniversity and earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbus State University. He holds numerous certifications including Hazardous Materials Technician, Incident Command, Airport Rescue Firefighting, and Citizen’s Fire AcademyInstructor. She is also a Georgia Certified Paramedic, State of Georgia Certified Emergency Medical Technician, and Firefighter II.

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Chief is a native Atlantan and is a proud graduate of MaynardJackson High School Class of 1989. She is also a resident of the Ormewood Park community in East Atlanta.

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