“I want young girls and Polynesians of all types to know that the sky is the limit, so aim high,” Tacoma’s newly appointed Fire Chief, Sionna Stallings-Ala’ilima.
April 1st was a significant date for Sionna Stallings-Ala’ilima appointed as Tacoma, USA’s first Samoan and Pacific Islander Fire Chief.
Her appointment has been described as a historic moment not just for the city, but for representation in public service leadership.
She is the second woman to hold the position, following Chief Eileen Lewis who led the department from 2000-2005.
Her selection was announced by City Manager Elizabeth Pauli and confirmed by the City Council. The announcement was celebrated with a standing ovation and a special haka performance from Chief Sionna’s family.
Asia Pacific Cultural Centre Executive Director, Mrs Fa’aluaina Pritchard took the stand to express her pride and gratitude.
“We are so proud that today’s confirmation of a position of Chief of Fire Department is our sister, Sionna,” Pritchard says.
“And we want to remind Sionna of her Pacific Islander and her Samoan community and to not forget your culture. Samoan culture is to lead with courage, lead with fear of positiveness, and to lead with respect and honour, and most of all, lead with love from your heart. And Sionna, do not forget your God. That is our culture – God first.”
Chief Sionna has served for the Tacoma Fire Department for 18 years, taking up several roles as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain, and Medical Services Officer. Her previous roles include being the Assistant Chief in May 2022 and the interim Fire Chief for the past 9 months.
At her swearing-in ceremony, Chief Sionna thanked the City Manager and the City Council for their trust and confidence in her leadership.
“I am extremely honoured and so proud to be serving my fire department and this community. I will not let you down,” she says.
“To my husband, my daughter, my parents, my sisters and the rest of the family and friends that I have surrounding me here and online, thank you for the unwavering support and unending love that you’ve given me my whole life. I would not be the person standing here right now without you. I love you all.
And speaking to Fox 13 Seattle, Sionna emphasized her commitment to inspiring young people.
“I want young girls and Polynesians of all types to know that the sky is the limit, so aim high.”
As the newly appointed Fire Chief, Sionna is already setting the department’s goals ablaze. She is focused on securing funding to replace and repair the fleet and collaborating with community partners to foster stronger community engagement.
“There’s thousands of firefighters that came before us, our department started in 1880,” she says.
“And this is my time to try to usher us into the future.”
