John F. TeKippe
Chief of the Department

John F. TeKippe assumed command of the Des Moines Fire Department on April 6, 2009.
Chief TeKippe began fire fighting in 1986 while serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea, CV-43, as an Electronics Technician. His civilian fire service career started in 1993 as a career fire fighter in West Des Moines. Chief TeKippe joined the Des Moines Fire Department on July 29, 1996. During his tenure with the Des Moines Fire Department, Chief TeKippe has served as a Fire Fighter, Fire Medic, Senior Fire Medic, Lieutenant, and Captain.
Chief TeKippe is a 1985 graduate of New Hampton High School in New Hampton, Iowa. In 1997, Chief TeKippe graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and a minor in History.
Chief TeKippe is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, is a member of the Polk County (Iowa) Emergency Management Commission, State of Iowa Local Government Innovations Commission, and is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs and International Association of Fire Fighters. He is Past President of the West Des Moines Association of Professional Fire Fighters, Local 3586, Des Moines Association of Professional Fire Fighters, Local 4, and the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters.