Hillory Flowers is now permanently leading the Olympia Fire Department, making her the first woman to serve as fire chief in what the city describes as the department's 164-year history.

Flowers had been serving as interim chief since March, after former Chief Matt Morris retired.

The milestone didn't happen overnight.

Flowers' path to the top job broke ground well before the permanent appointment. At the March 31 Civil Service Commission meeting, when Commissioner Reiko Callner asked whether the city had ever had a female chief, Flowers said she was "the first female to hold a rank of Assistant Chief or higher in Olympia Fire," according to commission minutes.

Senior HR generalist Telli Norton announced Flowers' interim appointment at that same March meeting, alongside the selection of Chad Boulay as interim deputy chief. City Manager Burney then formally introduced Flowers to the full City Council at its May 5 meeting.

The department traces its roots to 1858, when Columbia Engine Company and Barnes Hook & Ladder merged to form what the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters recognizes as the oldest organized fire department in the state. Barbara Greene became the city's first female firefighter in the 1980s and served a long career, but never rose to the rank of assistant chief.

Flowers' appointment also means both of Olympia's major public safety departments are now led by women for the first time. Shelby Parker was sworn in as the city's first female police chief in late March.

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.