WASHINGTON — The first female volunteer fire chief in Montgomery County, Maryland, is being sworn in Monday.

Corinne Piccardi, a 20-year veteran of the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, takes the reins during a formal inauguration ceremony at 7 p.m.

The department said Piccardi will be the first female volunteer chief in the entire county.

Piccardi, 47, is a certified and nationally registered paramedic who previously served in a number of roles in the department, including as battalion fire chief, assistant fire chief and as deputy fire rescue chief, according to the department.

Piccardi succeeds departing Fire Chief Jim Seavey, Sr. who is stepping down after 26 years on the job.

The official swearing-in takes place at department headquarters at 8001 River Road, just off Interstate 495 in Cabin John.

Cabin John, an unincorporated area of Montgomery County, is home to about 2,300 people.