Johnston and Grimes are preparing to send their fire chief into retirement.
Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District Chief Jim Clark is retiring after more than eight ½ years of service in the role. For Clark, it’s also the end of 42 years in fire service.
He began his career in May 1983 and worked his way up to be assistant chief at Sioux City Fire Rescue, according to his biography on Johnston’s city website. He’s been Johnston-Grimes’ chief since October 2016.
Clark’s accomplishments include partnership, staffing
Clark counts among his biggest achievements the long-term agreement between Johnston and Grimes that provides more stability than a series of three-year agreements, according to a Johnston city news release.
The two cities launched an automatic aid agreement in 2000 and started joint training the following year. The two fire departments consolidated in 2016.
Clark helped transition the joint district from part-time staffing to full-time, to reduce overtime and make for easier hours for employees.
He also advocated for the hiring of new positions, including an EMS and training chief, and an administrative assistant to support battalion chiefs so they can focus on responses to calls and mentorship for their teams. Both positions are newly budgeted in the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year, according to Johnston city spokesperson Janet Wilwerding.
Retirement celebration planned for June 26
Clark’s retirement celebration is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. June 26 at Crown Point Community Center, 6300 Pioneer Parkway in Johnston. A brief ceremony is planned at 1 p.m. and cookies and refreshments will be available.
Clark originally contemplated being a police officer. But he took Sioux City’s fire civil service exam as preparation for the police exam and in doing so got drawn to the fire service.
In retirement, he plans to spend more time with family and at his property on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri.
He wants to fish more often, continue volunteering for the Iowa Youth Fishing League as a board member and boater, hunt more and teach hunting safety courses, spend more time woodworking and maybe pick up a guitar again for the first time in more than 30 years.
When will the next fire chief start?
The district’s new fire chief will start June 30 and their name will be announced that day, according to Wilwerding.
Clark officially will retire July 3.
How big is the Johnston-Grimes fire department?
The fire district serves 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 Johnston — but a new fire station is planned to open this fall in 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 than 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 story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Johnston-Grimes fire chief prepares for retirement. What’s next for him and the city?
Reporting by Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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