Joplin Fire Department
The Joplin Fire Department serves an area of approximately 45 square miles and a daytime population of 300,000. The city is protected by a daily, on-duty strength of 24 members plus 7 administrative personnel, staffing 5 strategically located stations. Firefighters serve the City on 2 engine companies, 3 truck companies, and 1 rescue/hazardous materials unit.
The department also provides a wide range of non-emergency services, including fire and life-safety presentations and inspections at schools, businesses and community groups, as well as first aid training for those requesting the service. Currently the department holds an ISO (Insurance Service Office) rating of 3 which helps ensure some of the lowest rates available for Residential Hazard Insurance.
Fire Chief Gary Trulson leads a Department of 80 personnel operating from 5 stations and multiple pieces of apparatus. The Department is divided into 5 divisions: Administration, Operations, Prevention, Training and Emergency Management. Each division is headed by a Chief Officer.
Administration Division: headed by Chief Gary Trulson with overall responsibility for department direction and management. Deputy Chief Mitch Randles assists with general administration of the department.
Operations Division: headed by Deputy Chief Mitch Randles, Three Battalion Chiefs are responsible for the three individual shifts which perform the day to day operations and emergency responses.
Prevention Division: headed by the Fire Marshal, who is responsible for all aspects of fire prevention and public fire safety education, code enforcement and fire investigations.
Training Division: headed by Chief of Training Jim Perkins, who is responsible for all aspects of the department's training.
Emergency Management Division: headed by Keith Stammer, who is responsible for all aspects of the all-hazard emergency operations plan.
