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.

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 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.

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…