An interim fire chief has been named for the Idaho Falls Fire Department as Duane Nelson prepares to step down on Oct. 17. Deputy Chief Paul Radford will temporarily take over the role while the city looks for a permanent replacement. In a news release from the city of Idaho Falls, Radford says heโs honored to serve as the interim chief during the departmentโs time of transition. His goal is to support the firefighters and make the transition as seamless as possible.
โMy focus will be on supporting our firefighters, keeping the department operating safely and effectively and maintaining strong community relationships,โ Radford says. โI look forward to working with city leadership and our team to uphold Chief Nelsonโs high standards during this interim period.โ Radford has been with the fire department for 20 years and has held leadership roles in both administration and operations. As deputy chief, he has been deeply involved in planning, training and coordinating department-wide initiatives, as well as supporting professional development for staff.
Radford also holds advanced professional credentials, including Chief Fire Officer and Executive Fire Officer. He has a masterโs degree in organizational leadership. Mayor Rebecca Casper, who is also stepping down in December after three terms in office, worked with city officials in naming Radford for the position. She expresses gratitude for his willingness to take on this responsibility.
