MASON CITY – It has been recommended by City Administrator Brent Trout that the Mason City council select Al Dyer as the new Fire Chief.
On June 30, 2016, Bob Platts retired as Fire Chief and necessitated the start of the process to replace him. The City of Mason City accepted applications and conducted interviews with the top four candidates for the position on July 19, 2016. The interviews included an assessment panel interview from 3 current Iowa Fire Chiefs conducted by Cayler Consulting LLC. The candidates also had separate interviews with department directors, a team from Mercy Hospital and myself. Prior to the interviews, the City held an open house to allow City Council members, Fire Department members and the general public an opportunity to meet the candidates. A few weeks after the interviews were conducted, Dave Johnson requested to be withdrawn from consideration for the position.
The interviews were conducted and then information was passed to me regarding their perceptions of each of the candidate’s ability to perform as Fire Chief. The information from each of the interview groups and my interview led to a decision that Al Dyer was the best candidate for the position. Mr. Dyer is currently the Fire Chief for Lincoln Park, Michigan, population 37,313, a position has had held since 2014. He has served with the Lincoln Park Fire Department for over 22 years and his experience covers all of the functions of our department from Fire Marshal duties to emergency management responsibilities. Mr. Dyer has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Studies and a Master’s Degree in Technology Studies. He also attended the School of Fire Staff and Command as well as extensive training in other areas of fire education.
If approved by the City Council at Tuesday night’s regular meeting, Mr. Dyer will assume his position with the Mason City Fire Department on October 24, 2016. Doug Janssen will continue to perform as the Interim Fire Chief until Mr. Dyer begins work. The terms of his hiring are listed in the attached offer sheet. He will receive a starting salary of $95,576 per year, which is step 3 of grade 31. Grade 31 is the pay grade for department directors other than the Finance Officer and Operations and Maintenance Manager. The starting salary and increases listed in the offer are presented based on his qualifications, experience and education.
Mr. Dyer must pass a required physical that will be done at a location in Michigan per Iowa’s standards in order for him to start the position.
