Fire
Chief Jimmy Walker
Message from the Fire Chief to the Citizens of Independence
As Fire Chief, it is my privilege to share highlights from the Independence Fire Department’s work in 2025 and to thank you for the trust you place in us every day.
This past year, your fire department responded to emergencies across our community with professionalism, compassion, and urgency. From fires and medical emergencies to prevention efforts and public education, our focus remained the same: protecting lives, property, and the quality of life in Independence.
In 2025, we continued to strengthen our readiness to serve you. We invested in training, equipment, and operational improvements to ensure our firefighters are prepared for the increasingly complex emergencies faced by modern fire departments. We also emphasized consistency and accountability throughout the organization so that our service to the public is dependable, fair, and worthy of your confidence.
Public safety is built on trust. That trust is earned not only during emergencies, but through responsible stewardship of resources, clear expectations, and a commitment to continuous improvement. While change and growth are not always easy, it is necessary to ensure your Fire Department remains strong, effective, and responsive to community needs.
We areproud toserve Independence andgrateful forthecontinued supportofour residents, elected officials, and community partners. Your investment in public safety allows us to answer the call day or night with skill, integrity, and dedication.
On behalf of the members of the Independence Fire Department, thank you for allowing us to serve you. We remain committed to protecting this community and earning your trust every day.
Respectfully,
Jimmy Walker Fire Chief Independence Fire Department
Andrew
FIRE CALLS
RESIDENTIAL
PRIVATE DWELLINGS
APARTMENTS
HOTELS/MOTELS
ALL OTHER RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
SCHOOLS & COLLEGES
HEALTH CARE/PENAL INSTITUTIONS
STORES & OFFICES
INDUSTRY/UTILITY
STORAGE STRUCTURES
OTHER STRUCTURES
OTHER FIRES & INCIDENTS
HIGHWAY VEHICLES
OTHER VEHICLES
NON-STRUCTURE/NON-VEHICLE
BRUSH/GRASS/WILDLAND
RUBBISH/DUMPSTERS
ALL OTHER FIRES
MEDICAL ALL OTHER RESPONSES/SERVICE CALL
DISPATCHED & CANCELLED EN ROUTE HAZMAT RESPONSES
OTHER HAZARDOUS RESPONSES
FALSE ALARMS AUTOMATIC ALARMS
MUTUAL AID GIVEN
With the implementation of Criteria Based Dispatching (CBD) and the hard work from our ARCH team, we were able to provide much needed relief to our Emergency Operations. For the first time since 2016 the Independence Fire Department saw a reduction in total alarms. Projected total alarms without CBD and the ARCH team was over 30,000 alarms. This reduction in non-emergency alarms increases the availability for emergency response and reduces the wear and tear on our personnel and vehicle fleet. Policy updates and training for Responding to Incidents, our safety and efficiency during emergency situations.
UNIT MEDIAN TOTAL RESPONSE TIME ALL INCIDENTS
2025 - 5:23
UNIT AVERAGE TOTAL RESPONSE TIME ALL INCIDENTS
2025 - 5:51
UNIT 90TH PERCENTILE TOTAL RESPONSE TIME ALL INCIDENTS
2025 - 8:59
Committed to delivering quality medical care to the community
In 2025, the EMS Division made some great advances in education, operational tools and system growth. We delivered 1,423 hours of in-person medical training and implemented a standalone EMS reporting system with a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program, enabling direct case-based feedback from our Medical Director to crews.
EMS representatives partnered with key community organizations in 2025, including William Chrisman High School to support distracted driving prevention, Beacon Health to create specialized emergency response protocols for healthcare facilities, and Community Services League for health education for special needs residents, among others. These services reinforce our commitment to community risk reduction and public education.
ARCH had a busy 2025. In addition to maintaining a consistent response workload, we implemented anewclinical reporting platform that enables case tracking across jurisdictions as well as supports larger state-wide community paramedic initiatives. In December of this year, ARCH representatives were present in Jefferson City to discuss this system and the ARCH program with members of the Missouri Department of Mental Health. This work continues prior efforts to further develop relationships and agreements with public andprivate partners to streamline social support services from 911 crisis response to follow-up long-term care.
Additionally,ARCH finalized anagreement tocontract withmajor Managed Care Organizations, allowing reimbursement for healthcare cost savings generated through ARCH interventions, at no cost to community members. Finally, we successfully applied for state funds for mental health transport to reduce ARCH’s financial impact to the city. We are looking forward to further showing our value to the department and the city in 2026.
Sustaining excellence
The Logistics Division operates under the direction of the Assistant Chief of Logistics, who also serves as the department’s Intelligence Officer and primary point of contact for FIFA World Cup 2026 planning.
Logistics is responsible for the procurement, maintenance, distribution, and lifecycle management of properties, equipment, supplies, and critical resources necessary to support emergency response, training and daily operations. Over the past year the Logistics Division focused on sustaining operational readiness, strengthening inventory management practices, and improving coordination with internal divisions and external partners. Emphasis was placed on preventive maintenance, asset accountability, and timely replacement or repair of critical equipment to minimize operational downtime and ensure responder safety.
Comprehensive
services to reduce risk
The Fire Prevention Division continued to advance community risk reduction and life safety through a comprehensive program of inspections, investigations, public education, and code enforcement. Over the past year, Division personnel conducted thousands of fire and life safety inspections across commercial and multi-family occupancies, ensuring compliance with adopted fire codes and identifying hazards before they could result in loss. The Division investigated all reported fires to determine origin and cause, supporting both prevention efforts and, when necessary, enforcement actions. Public education initiatives reached residents of all ages through school programs, community events, and targeted outreach, including smoke alarm installation campaigns and seasonal safety messaging. In addition, the Division supported new development through plan review and construction inspections, ensuring that fire protection systems and life safety features were properly designed and installed. Through these coordinated efforts, the Fire Prevention Division remains committed to reducing risk, enhancing code compliance, and protecting the lives and property of the community it serves.
Additional services include the issuance of Fire Department permits, administration of burn, pyrotechnic, and blasting permits and regulations, coordination with Independence Police Department, State Fire Marshal’s Office and Fire Dispatch communications, management of all department records systems, and providing statistical analysis for data driven decision making. The Division is staffed by an Assistant Fire Chief (Fire Marshal), a Battalion Chief (Chief Fire Investigator/Public Information Officer), five Fire Inspectors, and one Administrative Assistant.
2025 2024 2023
The Training and Professional Development Division is led by a Battalion Chief of Training and an Assistant Chief. The Assistant Chief provides executive oversight of both the Training Division and the EMS Division, ensuring alignment of clinical standards, operational readiness, and departmental training objectives across all operational areas.
In 2025, the Independence Fire Department welcomed Recruit Class 25-1, who completed a five week recruit academy focused on foundational competencies and operational readiness. The academy included an in-depth pumping and apparatus driving course to reinforce safe and effective vehicle operations.
During the year, the Training Division also implemented a department-wide Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Program designed to enhance safety during both emergency and non-emergency responses. This initiative strengthens roadway risk reduction efforts and reinforces the department’s commitment to protecting both personnel and the community.
The best tools for the job
The Services Division, comprised of Assistant Chief David Shelley and Battalion Chief Tony Champagne, has been responsible for maintenance and repair of all fire department apparatus. Services are also responsible for Special Projects for the department. This includes:
20 front line apparatus
6 reserve apparatus
20 staff and support vehicles
2 UTV’s
7 other multi use trailers and maintenance equipment items
The Services Division functions by coordinating with multiple City departments (including Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Municipal Services, and the Police Department) to provide the support needed by the department to function daily.
Here in Services, we also provide many ancillary support functions as well that include
- Help with and advise general budget issues related to current verses expected expenditures.
- This includes monitoring spending on maintenance and replacement of apparatus and equipment.
- Provide and maintain all supplies and equipment needed on these apparatus.
- Schedule and provide needed items to conduct annual hose testing.
- Schedule and conduct annual pump testing.
- Schedule and conduct annual ladder maintenance and testing.
- Schedule and conduct all vehicle familiarization and training with incoming apparatus.
New Apparatus - During 2025, the department in-serviced a new 100’ Spartan/Smeal platform tower (Truck 1), 3 new Spartan/Precision side mount pumpers (Pumper 1, Pumper 4 and Pumper 8). We also created new Brush Truck 3. This means 14 of our 20 front line response apparatus have been replaced since 2021, with upcoming scheduled deliveries of 2 Pumpers in 2026 and 2 more Pumpers in 2027. 5 new staff vehicles were also in-serviced during 2025.
New Fire Stations - The Project Management team for the department, has finalized design with WSKF Architecture and begun the mobilization of Turner Construction on new Fire Station #8 and the Training/Storage buildings on Powell Rd. The estimated completion of the buildings is Spring of 2027. Design is 90 percent complete for new Fire Station #5.
BRYAN BOGUE
DAN FULK
SHANE JOHNSON
DAVID JONES
STEVE STEWART
KIRK STOBART
CRAIG DUPLANTIS
JUSTIN GRAVITT
DEVIN JONES
SHAUN OLEKSY
Thank you for your dedication
BATTALION CHIEF
CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN
BATTALION CHIEF
DEPUTY CHIEF
ASSISTANT CHIEF
CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN
FIREFIGHTER
WILLIAM ATKINSON
TYLER BARTON
JUDE BUXTON
GREGORY DILLON
MICHAEL GRANADO
BRADY HAYES
ETHAN JOHNSON
SARAH LONGEST
DORIAN MORLAN
BLAKE MULLENDORE
JUDE QUICK
SCOTT
ERIC HAWES CAPTAIN
SHANE JOHNSON CAPTAIN
DANNY JONES CAPTAIN
NICK MANSFIELD FIREFIGHTER
JOHN OCHOA FIREFIGHTER
JARED PETENTLER INSPECTOR
CRAIG SORGEN INSPECTOR
MARK
• NEW PUMPER 6 – FEBRUARY 2026
• NEW STATION 8 – BREAKING GROUND MARCH 3, 2026
• HOST 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP MATCHES – JUNE 2026
• DEMOLITION OF FIRE STATION 5 – FALL 2026
• NEW STATION 5 – BREAKING GROUND 2026
• REPLACE SCBA’s (SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS)
Artist rendition of proposed Fire Station 5
The Independence Fire Department will meet the challenges of present and future community needs through pro-active leadership, dedication to our core values, provision of quality All-Hazard emergency services, and community risk-reduction strategies in an efficient and effective manner. IMPORTANT FIRE DEPARTMENT
To consistently provide high quality services in the most efficient manner for our growing community and be recognized as a leader in providing quality Fire, EMS, and Emergency Preparedness services.