Joe Giudicessi
District Fire Chief - Special Operations

District Chief Joe Giudicessi joined the Fire Department on October 30, 1978. Chief Giudicessi has been promoted to and held the rank of Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain prior to being promoted to District Fire chief on March 17, 2003. District Chief Giudicessi currently is in charge of all Special Operations for the Des Moines Fire Department. This includes but is not limited to water rescue, rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue and Hazardous Material response.

District Chief Giudicessi has attended classes at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland, and at several other locations throughout the United States. Chief Giudicessi has earned a Fire Specialist Certificate from D.M.A.C.C and has received extensive training in Incident Management and Command, Swift Water and Ice Rescue, High and Low Angle rope rescue, Hazardous Materials, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Domestic Preparedness.

Chief Giudicessi is a member of the Des Moines Fire Departments Honor Guard. As an Honor Guard member he has represented the Fire Department at many different functions. These functions include the firefighter memorial service at the National Fire Academy, and the New York City 9/11 Firefighter services in Madison Square Garden.

In his spare time Chief Giudicessi enjoys riding his Harley Davidson, spending time with his family, and attending Iowa Football games.