One of Logan County’s most active and long-serving public servants, Cheryl Allen, has added another facet to her voluntary activities. She has been chosen to serve on the Kentucky Fire Commission Board, the first woman to hold that position.
Chief Allen was nominated for the position by the Kentucky Fire Chiefs' Association, where she sits as the chaplain. Allen said she is excited to serve in her new role and advocate for the volunteer departments in Kentucky.
She already is captain of both Russellville Rural Fire Department and the Logan Aluminum Fire Department, and she is chaplain of the Kentucky Fire Chiefs’ Association.
Although many people recognize Cheryl as “the girl who climbed the fire ladder in parades,” she would rather be known for her service to Logan County throughout the 48 years since she graduated from Lewisburg High School.
She hast served as a nurse, a fire fighter, an emergency services manager, an EMT and a first responder. Allen is the first woman chief of Russellville Rural Fire Department and the first chief whose only responsibility is emergency services at Logan Aluminum. She is also a state fire instructor and has taught classes for Lexington Fire Officers School and Texas A&M University.
After studying medical services under Gloria Robinson at the Russellville Area Technology Center, she spent four years working as a CNA at the former Logan County Hospital. She has been with the aluminum plant at Epley Station virtually since its beginning and has been a firefighter and EMT at Logan Aluminum since 1983. She earned a degree in Applied Fire Science from Bowling Green Technical College.
Upon the invitation of friend and volunteer fireman Ray Hart, she became a Russellville Rural Fire Fighter in 1981 and rose through the ranks as a sergeant and then a captain for several years before succeeding long-time chief Ben Ferguson in 2011.
The position of fire chief at Logan Aluminum had been handled on a rotating basis, but when it was offered to her, she said she would take it only if became a permanent position. Management agreed to that plan.
“I’m very proud of Cheryl’s achievements. It’s been an honor to work with her over the past 30 years at Logan. I’m most amazed by her commitment and desire to help others. She is truly a servant leader, ” Logan Aluminum ESS Unit Manager Van Mitchell said. “I congratulate her on this latest achievement and wish her well as she advocates for fire departments across the state.”
Cheryl is married to Tim Allen, who also has spent many years working at Logan Aluminum. She has three grown children and is a member of Victory Baptist Church and relies heavily on her faith.
Cheryl Allen says, “I just want thank all my Friends, Firefighters and Family that have been by my side through my journey and to the ones who were there by my side as I was honored to be placed on the Board of the Kentucky State Fire Commission. I promise I will do my best to make you all proud as I serve the Fire Chiefs ‘and Firefighters’ best interests across the state.
“Thank you all for the humbling comments and support! I am at a loss for words to describe the joy in my heart to be called your friend. I give All the Glory to the Lord who saved me for any accomplishments in my Life. It is he that is any gooin my heart. I am blessed by his hand.”