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Salary: $97,000 annually DOQ
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The City of Cape Girardeau is seeking a Deputy Fire Chief for this historic river city of approximately 40,000 residents, located along the Mississippi River in southeast Missouri. Situated along Interstate 55 about two hours south of St. Louis and 2.5 hours north of Memphis, Cape Girardeau is the largest city between the two metropolitan areas and serves as a regional hub for communities throughout southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. With approximately 60,000 additional people in Cape Girardeau each day, the city benefits from a vibrant regional presence while maintaining its strong sense of community. 

THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU 

Incorporated in 1808, the City of Cape Girardeau is a full-service, home-rule municipality providing a broad range of municipal services, including public safety, public works, parks and recreation, development services, and operation of the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. The City has a workforce of approximately 490 FTEs. 

THE CAPE GIRARDEAU FIRE DEPARTMENT 

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department is an all-hazards emergency services agency providing fire suppression, technical rescue, emergency medical services, and ALS non-transport response throughout the city. Operating from four fire stations across approximately 29 square miles, personnel responded to 5,818 calls for service in 2025. The Department is staffed by 73 FTEs and has a 2026 budget of approximately $9.1 million.

THE DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF 

Under the general direction of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief plans, supervises, and coordinates the activities of the Operations Division. This position provides highly responsible and technical staff assistance and leadership in accomplishing the Department’s fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, and safety goals. The Deputy Chief performs the role of incident commander and also serves as Acting Fire Chief in the absence of the Fire Chief. 

WHY APPLY

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department is entering an important period of generational transition, creating a meaningful role for the next Deputy Fire Chief in helping shape its future. With a younger workforce, modern apparatus, strong benefits, specialized response capabilities, and an established community risk reduction program, the Department has a solid foundation for continued growth. The next Deputy Chief will serve as a key operational leader with significant influence over culture, accountability, training, safety, and professional development. This is an opportunity for an engaged leader to develop the next generation of officers, strengthen labor-management relationships, and work closely with the Fire Chief to advance the organization. 

For questions on this position, please contact:

Gordie Olson
GMP Consultants
golson@gmphr.com
720) 518-7420