Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District, IA – Fire Chief

• The District is currently staffed by one full-time Fire Chief, two full-time Deputy Chiefs, one full-time Fire Marshal, (1) full-time Fire Prevention Specialist, (3) full-time Battalion Chiefs, (9) full-time lieutenants, and (30) full-time firefighters. Firefighters are represented by IAFF Local 4835, and the current contract term is (2024 – 2028). The District functions through a community driven Strategic Plan (2024 – 2027).
• The District serves the communities with three fire stations. Station 37 is located at 200 South James Street in Grimes (soon to be replaced with a new station at 2001 SW 6th Street), Station 38 is located at 10225 NW 62nd Avenue in Johnston, and Station 39 is located at 6373 Merle Hay Road in Johnston. All three stations are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The District responded to over 4,400 calls in 2024. Shift operations work from a 48/96 schedule.
• The fleet consists of nineteen (19) apparatus including Personal Watercrafts and two Rescue Boats. Station 37 houses (1) ambulance, and engine, tender, brush units and reserve fleet. Station 38 houses a rescue unit and tower ladder (new in 2024). Station 39 houses the Shift Commander, an ambulance, engine, tender and water rescue. The district provides water rescue on Saylorville Lake as well as the Des Moines River.
• In 2023, the EMS division introduced two new software programs to streamline the tracking of medications and supplies required for daily citizen care. In addition, a new online program was launched to simplify EMS supply tracking and ordering processes, reducing procurement time, while ensuring adequate stock levels.
• The Special Operations Team covers a variety of response specialties, working with area agencies on specialized rescue responses. The district under a Iowa Code 28E agreement in that provides mutual aid collective service with 30 local agencies.
• The District is focused on Health and Wellness through a program that focuses on the health and safety of the personnel’s physical and mental health. This is done through regular Physical Fitness Assessment, support from certified trainers (district personnel), cancer awareness prevention and more.
• The City of Johnston recently conducted a Community Survey in 2024 to receive feedback from residents regarding the police department, fire district, parks, library, public works, communications, and community development. Out of the 416 residents surveyed, 84 percent indicated that they were very satisfied with the overall quality of life in our community. In terms of safety, 94 percent expressed satisfaction with feeling of safe, which is 45 percent higher than the national average in city quality-of-life rankings.
• The district currently is an ISO Class 3. 

• The District seeks an experienced, innovative, collaborative fire/EMS leader with demonstrated managerial, interpersonal and customer service skills. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate a balance of commitment to the organization with genuine confidence and approachable personality to residents, business, and governmental leaders.
• It is particularly important that the next Fire/EMS Chief be an integral and engaged leader of the Fire District. The best candidates should not only possess a strong background in modern fire, EMS, Community Risk Reduction, emergency management and all hazards’ practices, but also a demonstrated record of success in change management, strategic planning, shaping public policy, and/or intergovernmental collaboration.
• The new Fire/EMS Chief must understand the need to use data for problem solving assessing community risk and vulnerabilities.
• The Fire/EMS Chief should have a positive track record of strong bargaining relations with proven experience in fostering collaboration with Bargaining Unit members. 
• Qualified candidates must demonstrate the ability to mentor and foster leadership roles within the staff, succession planning, and a global vision of the community’s needs and vision are critical. Creativity and the ability to guide and balance change is a must. 
• Qualified candidates must have the capability to be an active participant in operations and training to safely function as a command officer on incident scenes including oversight of interior operations within IDLH conditions.
• Qualified candidates must demonstrate the ability to develop strong relationships with surrounding Fire/EMS agencies, fostering a regional approach to emergency responses.
• The next Fire/EMS Chief will also have a demonstrated record of fairness, transparency, and consistency in the administration of District policies and procedures and the willingness to address issues in a positive and timely manner. The Fire/EMS Chief must possess well-developed writing and public speaking skills and the utmost integrity.

• Shall possess a bachelor’s degree in public administration or related field from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree is preferred. 
• At least seven 7-10 years of demonstrated leadership in supervisory positions with career development as a chief officer.
• Candidate’s successful completion of the Executive Fire Officer Program offered by the National Fire Academy, and or Chief Fire Officer Designation is desired. 

Posted: 2025-03-26