Chief Officers | West Des Moines, IA

Fire and EMS Chief - Craig Leu

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The chief's duties are to provide leadership, management and oversight to all fire and EMS department functions, including fire suppression, fire investigation, fire prevention and community emergency response procedures. Directs the selection, orientation, training, performance management, wage administration and discipline of employees of the fire department in accordance with City policy. Assures fair and consistent treatment of all fire department employees. Oversees the financial aspects of the fire department operations, including accounting for fire department revenue and expenditures, preparing for the annual fire department budget and applying for appropriate grants and other outside funding opportunities. Oversees the capital expenditures for equipment as needed. Directs the development and implementation of strategic and long-range plans for the unit consistent with the City’s long range plans. Assures that all work performed in the fire department meets the City’s standards for customer service, accuracy, quality and efficiency.

EDUCATION

Chaparral High School, Harper, Kansas, 1985
Associates Degree, Butler Community College, 2000
Bachelor of General Studies, Fort Hays State University, 2003
Executive Fire Officer, National Fire Academy, 2009
Fire Officer (FO) Designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), 2010
Master of Science in Leadership with an Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Executive Fire Leadership, Grand Canyon University, 2011

ASSOCIATIONS

Polk County Fire Chiefs Association (President)
Iowa Fire Chiefs Association
Iowa Association of Professional Fire Chiefs
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
Missouri Valley Division of the IAFC
Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs
Fire Department Safety Officers Association
International Association of Arson Investigators
National Fire Protection Association
National Fire Academy Alumni Association

Fire Assistant Chief - Ryan Hall

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general direction of the Fire/EMS Chief, manages all areas of the operations division; provides administrative direction and coordination of all operations activities; collaborates with subordinate leaders to ensure department compliance with operations and safety procedures and standards. Provides planning to emergency management on an executive and technical level, oversees all facets of emergency services delivery, coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies. Assists the Fire Chief in supervising all fire department administrative functions. Serves as second in command to the Fire Chief, and acts in their absence.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, North Dakota State University, 1994
Fire Science Specialist, Des Moines Area Community College, 2002
Unit Performance Award, 2010

ASSOCIATIONS

Iowa Firefighters Association
Polk County Fire Chiefs Association

Fire Marshal - Mike Whitsell

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Review building plans for all new and remodeled commercial construction as well as perform an on-site final inspection to assure compliance with the fire code; serve on the Housing Review Committee; responsible for all fire investigations and supervise fire investigators; promotes fire safety throughout the City; supervises the career firefighters assigned to inspect all commercial businesses, schools, day care centers, nursing homes, group homes, massage licenses, and liquor licenses; tests all new fire sprinkler systems; fire alarm systems and fire extinguisher hood systems; and monitors fuel tank removals and installations.

EDUCATION

Dowling High School, West Des Moines, Iowa,1989
Fire Specialist Certificate, Des Moines Area Community College, 2002
Two Week Residence Courses, National Fire Academy, 2003, 2005, 2006
Certified Firefighter I & II Inspector I, Driver Operator I and EMT

ASSOCIATIONS

Iowa Firefighters Association
West Des Moines Firefighters Association
Iowa Fire Marshal's Association
Iowa Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators
Metro Area Fire Investigators Task Force
Hawkeye State Fire Safety Association

Deputy Chief of Operations - Greg Jones

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general direction of the fire chief, directs all areas of daily fire fighting operations through fire captains, such as, responding to alarms, scheduling and assigning work to fire department personnel, consistently enforcing policies and procedures, and ensuring inter-agency cooperation during emergency incidents. Creates and promotes a team oriented work environment and motivates department personnel.

EDUCATION

Valley High School, West Des Moines, Iowa, 1988
Fire Specialist Certificate, Des Moines Area Community College, 1992
Associate of Science Fire Science and Technology, Des Moines Area Community College, 2001
Iowa Paramedic Specialist,1998

ASSOCIATIONS

State of Iowa - Type 3 Incident Management Team (Safety Officer)
Metro Area Fire Investigators Task Force

Deputy Chief of Operations - Matt Sonnenburg

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general direction of the fire chief, directs all areas of daily fire fighting operations through fire captains, such as, responding to alarms, scheduling and assigning work to fire department personnel, consistently enforcing policies and procedures, and ensuring inter-agency cooperation during emergency incidents. Creates and promotes a team oriented work environment and motivates department personnel.

EDUCATION

Valley High School, West Des Moines, Iowa, 1989
National Paramedic Registry, 1999
Iowa Paramedic Specialist, 1999
Certification as Fire Specialist, Des Moines Area Community College, 2005
Executive Fire Officer, National Fire Academy, 2010
State of Iowa - Type 3 Incident Management Team (Liaison Officer & Safety Officer)
Center For Public Safety Excellence Agency Accreditation Peer Assessor
Associate of Science, Des Moines Area Community College, 2010
City Excellence in Service Award, 2009

ASSOCIATIONS

Iowa Firefighters Association
State of Iowa - Type 3 Incident Management Team (Liaison Officer)
Commission on Fire Accreditation International Peer Assessor

Deputy Chief of Operations - Matt Lehman

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general direction of the fire chief, directs all areas of daily fire fighting operations through fire captains, such as, responding to alarms, scheduling and assigning work to fire department personnel, consistently enforcing policies and procedures, and ensuring inter-agency cooperation during emergency incidents. Creates and promotes a team oriented work environment and motivates department personnel.

EDUCATION

Dallas Center – Grimes High School, Dallas Center, Iowa, 2001
Paramedic Specialist Training Program, University of Iowa, 2003
National Paramedic Registry, 2003
Associate Degree of Fire Science, Des Moines Area Community College, 2009
Bachelor’s Degree of Fire Science Administration – Summa Cum Laude, Waldorf University, 2019

Deputy Chief of Training - Scott McFarland

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general direction of the fire chief, directs the Training Bureau, identifies fire department training needs related to fire and rescue, safety, and the fire department’s standard operating procedures (SOP’s); develops training programs, provides training to all department personnel, including full-time firefighters, part-time firefighters and fire officers. Exercises supervisory control over full-time firefighters, part-time firefighters, and fire officers during all training sessions and emergency scene operations, as assigned. Assists the Fire Prevention Bureau with the development and delivery of public education programs.

EDUCATION

Valley High School, West Des Moines, Iowa, 1989
B.A. Business Management, University of Northern Iowa,1993
Fire Science Certificate, Des Moines Area Community College
City of West Des Moines - Leadership 101 2018
Certified Firefighter I &II, EMT, Driver Operator, Instructor I & II, Officer I &II, ISO

ASSOCIATIONS