Employee Spotlight - December 2024

Meet Ron Becker, deputy director for Kenton County’s Homeland Security & Emergency Management team. With over 40 years of experience in fire service and emergency planning, Becker is a steady presence in helping keep our community safe and prepared.

What got you into a career in fire service?

My family had a lot to do with it. My dad was part of the old Southern Hills Fire Department, which eventually became Edgewood, and my uncle was the fire chief in Fort Wright when I started. My brothers and cousins were involved too, so it's kind of in the blood.

Funny thing is I originally planned to be a doctor, and was in a pre-med program at Northern Kentucky University. But when I started as a volunteer firefighter in 1979, I quickly realized it was something I enjoyed and wanted to stick with.

Tell me about your career before joining the Kenton County team.

I came here six years ago, but prior to that, I spent 37 years with the city of Fort Wright. I was a volunteer for the first 10 years and then moved into a paid role for 27 years. For eight of those years, I served as the volunteer fire chief.

After I retired from Fort Wright in 2016, I didn’t quite leave the field. I taught fire and officer training classes part time and worked for a couple of years at the Ludlow Fire Department. Then in 2018, I joined the County. It felt like a natural progression, combining everything I’d learned over the years and applying it in a different way.

When I started, I thought I had a good idea of what this office handled, but it’s so much bigger than I imagined. Even after six years, I still learn about things we’re responsible for that I never expected.

What does your job look like day-to-day?

A big part of what I do is emergency planning, especially with schools. Each school has its own emergency plan and so do the police and fire departments. My job is to bring all those plans together so that, during a crisis, everyone is on the same page.

I also manage AEDs (automated external defibrillators) across County buildings, making sure they’re maintained and ready to go, and I teach CPR and first aid classes to County employees. On top of that, I help out during emergencies like missing person searches or hazmat incidents.

What stands out from your career?

Early on, I responded to an explosion at Simon Kenton High School. That was back in 1980, and it was a major learning experience for me about working with multiple agencies during a big incident.

The Dixie Gardens Drive-In fire around 1990 also stands out—it was one of the largest fires I handled during my time in Fort Wright.

More recently, I was deployed to Western Kentucky after the tornado in Mayfield. I spent 10 days there helping out. The devastation was hard to take in, but I met some incredible people and felt like I made a real difference.

What’s the most rewarding part of the job?

The most rewarding aspect is seeing all the planning and teamwork from agencies across the County and region come together when it really matters. We handle a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination with all kinds of organizations—police, hospitals, public works, state and federal agencies. It’s reassuring that when something happens, it’s not the first time we’re meeting. Knowing who’s involved makes it much easier to work together during a crisis.

Tell me about your life outside of work.

I’ve been married for 32 years, and we have two kids. My son works in robotics, and my daughter is a doctor in her second year of residency. We also have a 6-month-old grandchild, which is such a joy.

I enjoy golfing and take a couple of golf trips each year. My wife and I like traveling too. She’s a beach person, so we often visit places like Myrtle Beach or Florida.

About the Employee Spotlight

Each month, a Kenton County Fiscal Court department leader nominates an employee for the "Employee Spotlight" recognition. Nominees are chosen for their exemplary job performance and dedication to making Kenton County the best place to live, work and raise your family in Kentucky.

In nominating Ron Becker, Steve Hensley , director of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, said:

“Ron is the kind of person you want on your team. His wealth of experience and ability to bring diverse perspectives together helps us be ready for any challenge."

Congratulations, Ron, on the December 2024 Employee Spotlight recognition!