Des Moines Fire Department

10/08/2026

🔥 Sprinkler Save - Fire Prevention Week 🔥

On September 24, a fire started in a microwave in an apartment in the middle of the night while the resident was sound asleep. A fire sprinkler activated and kept the fire small and contained - and by the time DMFD crews arrived, most of it was already out. Crews put out the remaining flames, ventilated the building, and confirmed no other units were affected by fire or smoke.

The cause is still unknown and the fire appeared to start behind the display and control area of the microwave, not inside the cooking area.

Stories like this are exactly why Fire Prevention matters and why the DMFD Fire Prevention Bureau is so passionate about their work and educating the community. We do everything we can to prevent fires, from safe charging habits to working smoke alarms, but not every fire can be prevented from starting...that's why modern building codes build in layers of protection:

🔹 Sprinklers that control a fire before we arrive on-scene
🔹 Fire-rated walls that keep fire from spreading beyond where it started
🔹 Escape features that help people get out safely if a fire does spread

Those layers worked here...the sprinkler did its job and everyone was safe with minor damage as compared to what could have happened.

Don't forget to test your smoke alarms monthly and make sure you have a home fire escape plan. Find example plans at NFPA.org.

Learn more about DMFD's Fire Prevention Bureau at DSM.city/FirePrevention.

10/07/2026

Please join us in congratulating Jason Bernstein, Brian Burke, Matthew Burke, Dan Davis, Eugene Emery, Michael Flaherty, and Tyler Mark on their promotions to Fire Captain and Ben Wolford on his promotion to Fire Lieutenant.

THANK YOU for your dedication and the leadership, training and expertise you bring to the DMFD everyday. These professional advancements boost our operational readiness and support for the Des Moines community! ❤️

10/05/2026

10/05/2026

🔥 Safe Charging Tips with Lieutenant Josh Olney - Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10

Lithium-ion batteries power so much of our lives and CHARGING THEM SAFELY MATTERS.

Lieutenant Josh Olney of DMFD's Fire Prevention Bureau gives a quick rundown of 6 safe charging tips! 🔋

1️⃣ Cheap charger? Don't chance it.
2️⃣ Feels hot? Stop using it.
3️⃣ Fully charged? Time to unplug.
4️⃣ For tools or rides (e-scooters, e-bikes, large power tools), charge outside.
5️⃣ On a flight? Keep it in sight.
6️⃣ Soft surface? Hard pass.

Stay fire emergency prepared and be sure to test your smoke alarms monthly and have a home fire escape plan. Visit NFPA.org for example escape plans, activities for kiddos and more!

Learn more about DMFD's Fire Prevention Bureau at DSM.city/FirePrevention

10/04/2026

It's Fire Prevention Week, DSM! 🔋🔥

DMFD is teaming up with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week™, October 4 -10, Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!

Help us spread the word that everyday actions can help prevent lithium-ion battery fires. Use your charging superpower by making smart choices every time you plug in - and stay on the lookout for more posts this week providing tips for a safer charge! For more info: fpw.org.

10/02/2026

🔥 Fire Prevention Week kicks off this Sunday, October 4-10...stay tuned for all things safe charging this week!🔋

Fire prevention starts with knowledge and that commitment runs deep at DMFD. Last week, Fire Chief Jonathan Lund completed his third and final 3-year term on the Industry Advisory Board for the Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology program at Oklahoma State University.

Chief Lund, a 2007 graduate of the program, was asked to serve as a board member in 2017, was then elected Secretary in 2020 and Board Chairperson in 2022. During his tenure, he led the curriculum advisory committee, reviewing all program courses, learning objectives, and outcomes in preparation for an accreditation review.

His involvement directly benefited the City of Des Moines as well. DMFD has hired multiple Fire Protection Engineering interns (four of them from OSU) for summer opportunities that strengthen the department's fire prevention and fire protection engineering efforts and capabilities.

While Chief Lund enjoyed his time on the board and saw its value, he also recognized the need to devote even more time and energy to his duties as Fire Chief, which is why he is stepping away now.

That same dedication to preparing the next generation of fire safety professionals is what drives our prevention work in the community, starting this week with a focus on safe charging from DMFD's Fire Prevention Bureau and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 🔋

More information about the board: https://ceat.okstate.edu/fcem/fpset/iab-members

09/28/2026

⚠️ DID YOU KNOW that over 70% of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home? DID YOU KNOW that survival chances decrease by 10% for every minute that immediate CPR and use of an AED is delayed?

Immediate CPR can triple the chance of survival - and with the majority of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happening in the home - being CPR certified means you just might save the life of a family member or friend.

If someone collapses, call 911 and DMFD will be on the way. But the moments before we arrive matter most: starting CPR right away gives your loved one an even better chance of a positive outcome.

Be prepared for cardiac and breathing emergencies and help save a life by becoming American Red Cross CPR/First-Aid Certified with Des Moines Parks and Recreation.

Learn more and enroll at DSM.City/CPR - with classes available for ages 12+ in October, November and January at the new Reichardt Community Recreation Center.

Get CPR certified! ✅

Red Cross CPR classes are structured, 2-hour training sessions that teach you how to effectively respond in cardiac and breathing emergencies. 🚑

❤️‍🩹 This lifesaving education is provided by certified Red Cross instructors for only $80 per student — Anyone aged 12 or older is eligible to enroll. All classes are held at Reichardt Community Recreation Center.

Find the perfect session for you!
🔹 Friday, October 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
🔹 Friday, November 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
🔹 Saturday, January 16, 9-11 a.m.

Enroll now at DSM.City/CPR!

09/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Des Moines Public Library Touch-a-Truck event this past Saturday! DMFD crews had a great time meeting residents, letting kiddos climb up into the fire truck to explore the apparatus and answering all the fun questions from future firefighters (and some of their parents)!

These are some of our favorite type of events, as we get to build relationships with the community, other City of Des Moines - Government departments and share information about fire safety at the same time.

Next month is National Fire Prevention Month, and our Fire Prevention Bureau team will be visiting local elementary schools and libraries talking to little ones about all things fire safety and building comfort around fire crews, gear and apparatus!

We look forward to seeing some familiar faces (and meeting new ones!) as we continue spreading fire safety awareness throughout the community this fall. 🔥