Fire Chief

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Grand Prairie, Texas, is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking fire service executive to serve as its next Fire Chief. This exceptional opportunity is ideal for a leader with extensive experience in fire administration and emergency operations, as well as a proven record of strategic leadership, operational excellence, collaboration, and team engagement. The next Fire Chief will lead an award-winning, all-hazards, ISO Class 1-rated career fire department dedicated to providing exceptional fire protection, emergency medical response, and life safety services to Grand Prairie’s residents, businesses, and visitors. As the department enters its next chapter, the successful candidate will build upon a solid foundation of excellence while guiding the organization through future opportunities and challenges.

ABOUT GRAND PRAIRIE

Strategically located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the City of Grand Prairie is one of North Texas’ most dynamic and rapidly growing communities. Spanning Dallas, Tarrant, Johnson, and Ellis counties, Grand Prairie offers the advantages of a major metropolitan location while maintaining the keen sense of community, accessibility, and hometown character that distinguish it from many of its neighboring cities. Home to more than 210,000 residents, Grand Prairie continues to experience sustained growth driven by a diverse economy, strategic location, affordable housing options, quality schools, and an exceptional quality of life. The city has earned a reputation as a destination community where residents can enjoy outstanding recreational amenities, family-friendly neighborhoods, and convenient access to the region’s employment, transportation, and cultural opportunities.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Grand Prairie Fire Department (GPFD) is a highly regarded, all-hazards, career fire and emergency medical services provider staffed by 281 fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and professional staff and operates with Fiscal Year 2025/26 operating budget of $52 million. The department currently operates eleven strategically located fire stations, including its newest station completed in 2025. Fire stations are staffed around the clock by firefighter-paramedics operating from three double-company stations and eight single-company stations. GPFD also maintains specialized response teams trained to address a wide range of complex emergencies, including dive, swift water, confined space, trench, and high-angle rescues; wildland firefighting and hazardous materials responses are also part of GPFD’s specialized services.

THE POSITION

Grand Prairie is seeking a forward-thinking fire service leader to serve as the next Fire Chief. As a key member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team, the Fire Chief reports to the City Manager. The primary responsibilities of the Fire Chief include leading, planning, implementing, and managing all GPFD activities. The Fire Chief directs the delivery of fire prevention, fire suppression, and rescue and emergency medical services; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and external agencies; and provides highly responsive, responsible, and complex administrative support to the City’s Executive Leadership Team. Key responsibilities are to direct, manage, and oversee the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities; prepare the annual department budget and administer the budget in a responsible manner; partner with other city departments, various city, county, and state governmental agencies, and other non-governmental organizations; maintain strong public relations with the community through involvement in various community organizations and events; develop, oversee, and implement new and innovative programs, approaches, and services; and solicit and encourage employee participation for continuous department improvement. The ideal candidate is a visible, accessible, and relationship-oriented leader who embraces collaboration and engagement; must be a strategic and innovative executive with a broad understanding of contemporary fire and emergency medical services; will possess the vision and leadership to guide the department through future opportunities and challenges; be a well-rounded fire service professional who values teamwork, develops people, and fosters a culture grounded in accountability, trust, professionalism, and continuous improvement; embraces innovation and is willing to thoughtfully evaluate and implement emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in fire and emergency services; and has experience serving in a growing community comparable in size, service demands, and organizational complexity to Grand Prairie.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary for the Fire Chief is $240,000/year with the final compensation dependent upon the successful candidate’s overall qualifications and experience. In addition, an excellent executive benefits package is provided including retirement provided by the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Employees contribute 7% of gross income on a pre-tax basis with a city match of 2:1 plus interest upon retirement. In addition, Social Security contributions are required, and a voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan is also available.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of equivalent experience, education, and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the requisite qualifications would be: Education: Graduation from an accredited university or college with a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science/Administration, Emergency Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. Completion of at least one of the following is desired: National Fire Academy/Executive Fire Officer Program, Texas Fire Chiefs Academy (Texas A & M Fire Service), CEO Program, or Fire Service Executive Development Institute. Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible, full-time paid municipal, county, regional or state fire service experience in an organization of comparable size and operational complexity to the City Grand Prairie. And, Fire Service senior management or chief level leadership experience, including a required minimum of five (5) years in a formal supervisory capacity. For additional requirements, licenses, and certifications, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure at #J-18808-Ljbffr Gfoat