Urbandale Fire Department Staff

Meet the Command Staff, Full-time Staff, Part-time Staff 

Command Staff

	Chief Jerry Holt Click to visit the Office of the Chief
	Assistant Fire Chief Danford (Retired July, 2011) I joined the Urbandale Fire Department in 1977.  I went to EMT Basic and then to EMT Intermediate school.  I went to as much fire and EMS training as I could in the earlier years.  When I joined the Department we ran 535 calls that year.  In 2007 we responded to 2,304 calls for service.  I have served in many positions, including Firefighter/ EMT, Lieutenant, Captain and my current position of Assistant Fire Chief.  I have many memories of my years in our Department.  The tragic Younkers Department Store fire where 10 people died, delivering my first baby,and breaking my leg.  As well as being on episodes of TV's Unsolved Mysteries and NBC Dateline.
	Assistant Chief of EMS Rob Light I joined the Urbandale Fire Department in 1987 to become a firefighter.  I became very interested in both fire fighting and Emergency Medical Services and took many courses in order to further my interests.  I was promoted to Lieutenant in 1990, and currently hold the position of Assistant Chief of EMS. Our calls for service volume continues to increase each year and with that comes the responsibility to provide progressive EMS care for our customers.
	Assistant Chief of Training Mike Cardwell Click to visit the Training Division
	Fire Marshal Jon Rech I started my Emergency Medical Services career in 1993 as an EMT.  I joined the Urbandale Fire Department in 1995 as a paid-on-call member.  After obtaining my Paramedic Certificate in 1997 I obtained an A.S. degree in Emergency Medical Services from Mercy College of Health Sciences.  In 2000, I was hired as a career Paramedic/ Fire Inspector.   In addition to numerous fire and EMS Certifications I have earned a B.A. Degree in Law, Politics and Society from Drake University.  In 2006 my position was reclassified as Fire Marshal.  I am also a Member of the Board for Hawkeye State Fire Association and the 2009 President of the Iowa Fire Marshal's Association.
	Assistant Chief Jim Mitchell
	Captain Joe Malloy (Retired July, 2011) After retiring from the Military I joined the Urbandale Fire Department in 1979.  At that time we were responding to only 25 calls per month.  EMS was a new concept when I became a Paramedic.  After completing the program, I was part of a team that started the "County Paramedic Assist" program providing the western suburbs with a Paramedic level service.  Over the years I have been involved with a great number of programs such as the Urbandale Police Department's Emergency Response Team and the Athletic Trainers for the High School.  Being associated with this Fire Department for nearly 30 years has been one of the major achievements of my life and one that I will always cherish.
	Lt. Dan Birkett I have been involved in the Fire serve since 1997.  During those years I have worked full time as a Paramedic for Trinity Regional Hospital in Fort Dodge.  I then became a Firefighter/ Paramedic on the Fort Dodge Fire Department.  As a member of that department I became involved in the Regional Haz-Mat team and Tech. Rope rescue team.  In the Winter of 2003 I accepted a job at the Urbandale Fire Department.  I was recently promoted to Lieutenant.  I also hold an Associates degree in Fire Science.  I enjoy how dynamic the fire service can be.  I also enjoy the amount of hands on work in all areas of of the fire service.  I can not think of another job I would want to be doing right now.
	Lt. Kyle Bissell
	Lt. Michael Gentosi I started in the fire service in 1998 as a volunteer for the Grimes Fire and Rescue Department. In 2000 I became a full-time Firefighter/ Paramedic with the City of Waukee. In 2002 I accepted a job as a Firefighter/ Paramedic with the Urbandale Fire Department.  In 2007 I was promoted to Lieutenant.  Among several fire and EMS Certifications, I hold an Associates of Science in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Advanced Fire Administration/Personnel Management and Fire Prevention Technology.  I am currently pursuing a Graduate Degree in Emergency Management.
	Lt. Cory Macumber
	Lt. Lance Routson During the summer of 2001 while attending the University of Northern Iowa I became a member of the Johnston Fire Department.  After graduating from college in 2004 I furthered my education at the University of Iowa in their Paramedic program.  After completion of this program I was employed by the City of Cedar Falls as a Firefighter/ Paramedic.  In 2006 I joined the Urbandale Fire Department as a full-time Firefighter/ Paramedic.  Recently I was promoted to Lieutenant and was awarded the City of Urbandale's Firefighter of the Year for 2007.  I continue to learn something new everyday, and am lucky to have such a talented group of co-workers around me.
	Lt. Stuart Wilson

Medical Director

Dr. Healey

Full-time Staff

	Boyle, Josh
	Burke, Brennan
	Crookshank, Brad
	Ennen, Eric
	Erie, Jamie
	Harris, Rob
	Jensen, Craig
	Landers, Bryce
	Manser, Derek
	McCannon, John
	Miljkovic, Demir
	Ouverson, John
	Palizzolo, Ed
	Roe, Michael
	Stiles, Drew
	Thorne, Cody
	Young, Cory
	Zahnd, Rob

Part-time Staff

	Christensen, Jesse
	Frank, Ross
	Gilchrist, Jeff
	Jackson, Chad
	Lyons, Laura
	Merfeld, Paula
	Montgomery, Tom
	Nuhanovic, Damir
	Pirtle, Monte
	Pope, Craig
	Ramic, Aldin
	Seda, Dan
	Stuckle, Julie

 In Memoriam

Burr, Monte