Johnston and Grimes have a new fire chief who has been a longtime leader in the Des Moines Fire Department.
Percy Coleman’s first day at the helm of the Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District was Monday, June 30, according to a news release from the city of Johnston.
Coleman had been the Des Moines Fire Department’s assistant chief for almost eight years and spent a total of 29 years with the department.
“I have spent nearly three decades preparing for this opportunity, and I look forward to leading a district that prioritizes the safety and well-being of our community members,” Coleman said in the release.
His priorities as chief include building strong relationships with the community and ensuring “the highest safety standards” for personnel, according to the release. Coleman plans to do that by visiting each fire station in the district and listening to employees talk about strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement, with a focus on recruitment and retention, non-emergency call volume and collaboration with city officials and the community.
He also wants to engage with the community through local events and activities.
“Together with our team, we will strive to address new challenges while providing efficient and compassionate services,” Coleman said.
He and his family have lived in Grimes for 17 years.
Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District Chief Jim Clark is retiring July 3 after more than 8½ years.
What did Coleman accomplish in Des Moines?
The Des Moines Fire Department hired Coleman in 1996. His duties included overseeing fire suppression, emergency medical services, special operations, technical services and special events sections, as well as budget management, according to a Johnston news release. Coleman also served on the hazardous materials and technical rescue teams.
He led efforts to start a mobile-integrated health care program focusing on high-volume users, open an acute care station at Central Iowa Shelter Services and establish an opioid response team to serve Polk County. He also assisted with implementing an advanced cardiac resuscitation program that has improved survivability rates of cardiac arrests.
Promoted in in August 2017, he was Des Moines’ first Black assistant chief.
How big is the Johnston-Grimes fire department?
The Johnston-Grimes fire district serves an area of more than 50 square miles that include Johnston, Grimes, Camp Dodge and unincorporated areas of Dallas and Polk counties.
The district currently has three fire stations — one in Grimes and two in larger Johnston. A new fire station is set to open this fall in fast-growing Grimes.
In addition to its chief, the district also has two deputy chiefs, a fire marshal, a fire protection specialist who reports to the fire marshal, three battalion chiefs, six lieutenants and 39 firefighters, all of whom work full-time.
Firefighters in the district responded to more than 4,400 calls in 2024 — a more than 60% increase in calls from eight years before.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. Find out more about him online in the Register’s staff directory.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Johnston and Grimes hire new fire chief, a longtime Des Moines FD leader
Reporting by Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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