Richard L Zimmerman
District Fire Chief - Fire Marshal

District Fire Chief Richard L Zimmerman joined the Des Moines Fire Department on
December 17, 1984. After new recruit training he was originally assigned to Station 5
Division 1. In 1987 he earned his paramedic certificate and was promoted to Fire Medic.
He was promoted to Fire Engineer in 1992, Fire Lieutenant in 1996, and Fire Captain in
1998.

Chief Zimmerman was promoted to District Fire Chief in January 2003. At that time he
Was assigned to Station 2 Division 3 as shift commander. He is currently responsible
for the Fire Prevention Bureau operations.

Chief Zimmerman has had training in haz mat, confined space rescue, rope rescue, and water and ice rescue. He currently holds the EMT-I certificate and has had fire service training through Iowa State University, the National Fire Academy, and other state and federal organizations.