Des Moines Fire Department

05/29/2026

This week, we've been holding multi-company fire suppression and EMS drills at our new Fire Station #4.

Today, 1st Division crews enjoyed ladder, search and rescue training and simulations for treatment of patients with burns.

This is another way these firefighters put in the work to stay sharp - so they're ready for when Des Moines residents need them!

05/22/2026

"In the short time this station has been operational, it has already proven to be a game changer in helping our crews improve response times to calls and provide better service to our residents," Des Moines Fire Department Chief Jonathan Lund said. "Between the number of safety improvements for our firefighters and the new training tower, this station represents the next generation of firefighter health, safety, and training design."

🚒 Station #4 is officially open! After two years of construction, we cut the ribbon today at 1505 MLK Jr. Parkway on a state-of-the-art facility built for the next generation of firefighter health, safety, and training. Features include a four-story training tower, advanced decontamination systems, and geothermal heating and cooling. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone in our 140-year legacy of service!

05/21/2026

Thank you to all the current and former firefighters who joined us this morning!

One of the most important mornings of the year is our annual Retirees Breakfast Ceremony. This event provides an opportunity for former and current firefighters to continue honoring tradition by performing a bell-ringing ceremony for retirees who have passed away in the last year.

In addition to taking time to reflect and pay respects to those who have passed away, our retiree breakfast is also a wonderful chance to catch up with our retirees, hear their stories, and find out what they're doing in their free time.

Thanks to Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa for joining us, and everyone else who helped make this event possible!

05/18/2026

This week brings another well-deserved round of promotions that deserve attention! Congratulations to the following:

Fire Medic Austin Hernandez
Fire Medic Bryan Llewellyn
Fire Engineer Kristofer Henshaw
Lieutenant Douglas Cole
Lieutenant Christopher Oberembt
Lieutenant Patrick Thomas
Lieutenant Jordan Van Ness
Lieutenant Hali Van Velzen

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to protecting the City of Des Moines!

05/13/2026

Fire Sprinklers and DMFD Firefighters are a proven fire safety success story.

The photos below show two apartment fires with two VERY different outcomes.

The first two photos are from an apartment fire on E. Caulder Avenue that occurred on May 4. The building was not equipped with fire sprinklers, and the fire had a big head start and wind conditions that helped it spread quickly. Despite an efficient and aggressive fire suppression response, the building is likely a total loss, displacing approximately 70 residents. Polk County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa worked with the Red Cross and other partners to help residents who were displaced by this fire.

The second two photos show an apartment fire that happened in Des Moines two days earlier on May 2nd. In this instance, sprinklers helped delay the fire spreading and our firefighters did the rest leaving limited damage to the building, and allowing residents to remain in the building.

This is a great reminder during Home Fire Sprinkler Week that sprinklers are an important component of fire safety alongside our firefighters!

05/12/2026

We have more well-deserved promotions this week that deserve attention! Congratulations to the following:

Fire Medic Dominique Ankeny
Lieutenant Chris Brown
Lieutenant Josh Olney
Lieutenant Marcus Yuen

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to protecting the City of Des Moines!

05/11/2026

This week is Home Fire Sprinkler Week!

Home fires pose a serious threat to every community. When fire sprinklers are installed, the threat is automatically diminished, preventing injuries, saving lives, and preserving property.

New homes are typically built with unprotected, lightweight wood construction and designed with large, open spaces, making them deadly in two minutes or less. Homes are filled with synthetic furnishings that burn hotter and faster, producing more toxic smoke.

Emerging technology, such as lithium-ion batteries, can also cause fires to grow rapidly. Regardless of a home’s age, fires burn faster than ever and become deadlier more quickly.

05/05/2026

Last night over 39 of our firefighters battled a large fire at an apartment complex in SE Des Moines.

Though crews arrived quickly and first arriving crews aggressively advanced hose lines to the third floor, the fire's head start and strong winds contributed to the building likely being a total loss.

Our crews fought the fire hard and ensured that all units in the building were cleared of occupants but eventually had to clear the building due to dangerous structural conditions that could have led to a collapse.

Though roughly 70 residents were displaced (helped by Polk County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa and other partners), we're thankful to share that there were no reported injuries to occupants or firefighters.

Thank you to all the firefighters including an engine from Pleasant Hill Fire Department Iowa who responded and worked diligently to protect the people living here.

05/05/2026

Important information from Polk County Emergency Management Agency below. If you were affected by today’s fire, please read.

Polk County EMA is assisting residents displaced by an apartment fire on E. Caulder Avenue in Des Moines.

The incident involves 30 units and an estimated 75 residents. Polk County EMA has provided assistance at the scene, at a reception center, and through coordination from the Emergency Operations Center.

With support from Polk County Community, Family and Youth Services, Polk County Behavioral Health and Disability Services, and DART a reception center has been established until 9pm at Pioneer Columbus Community Center, 2100 SE 5th Street in Des Moines.

Polk County EMA, the American Red Cross, and Des Moines University are opening an overnight shelter this evening at the DMU campus, 3200 Grand Avenue.

We are grateful to all partners assisting with this response, including the apartment management company, as everyone works together to make sure impacted residents have a safe and comfortable place to stay until more permanent housing arrangements can be made.

Polk County Iowa
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences
DART
Des Moines Fire Department
American Red Cross - Serving Iowa

04/30/2026

9 units out, and 9 units back in.

After a busy week for our EMS crews who have administered 9 units of pre-hospital blood to five patients since last weekend. A group of our DMFD staff wanted to help so they partnered with LifeServe Blood Center to donate the same number of units of blood back to our regional blood supply.

Our pre-hospital blood transfusion program is saving lives - four of the five patients who received blood survived and all of them had a better chance because of this procedure. However the program does increase the use of donated blood and increases the importance of blood donations.

90% of people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their life, but only 5% are regular donors.

If you aren't already a regular donor, please consider starting now at a donation center near you!