Saint Paul Fire Chief Timothy Butler Steps Down
City of St. Paul sent this bulletin at 10/21/2017 10:38 AM CDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2017
CONTACT: Ben Petok
ben.petok@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Saint Paul Fire Chief Timothy Butler Steps Down
Mayor announces EMS Chief Matthew Simpson to serve as Acting Fire Chief
SAINT PAUL – Mayor Chris Coleman today announced that Fire Chief Timothy Butler stepped down as Fire Chief and asserted his right to return to a previously held title. Chief Butler has served as Chief of the Saint Paul Fire Department for 10 years, overseeing a force of 434 firefighters. The Mayor also announced the appointment of EMS Chief Matthew Simpson as Acting Fire Chief.
“The Saint Paul Fire Department is one of the best in the country,” said Mayor Coleman. “Over his decade of service as Chief, Tim Butler has been an important part of maintaining the excellent quality of service that SPFD delivers to our residents. On behalf of residents across our city, I thank him for his service in that role.”
The SPFD consists of dedicated firefighters, paramedics, public educators, support staff and maintenance personnel that form an effective team serving the residents of Saint Paul. Over the past decade, Mayor Coleman has increased investment in the SPFD to ensure the public safety needs of our city are always met.
Earlier this summer, an outside auditor conducted an independent review of the delivery of services by the SPFD. Their findings confirmed that firefighters and paramedics serving the city are among the best in the country with regard to fire suppression and response times (90th percentile). The outside auditor also reported that response times and services are delivered equitably across the city.
“I am pleased to announce that Assistant Fire Chief for Emergency Medical Services Matt Simpson will serve as Acting Fire Chief,” said Mayor Coleman. “Matt has served the department with distinction in his role as EMS Chief and this is a well-deserved recognition.”
Mayor Coleman has made annual increases in the Saint Paul Fire Department’s budget over his three terms as Mayor, including a proposed $1.7 million increase to the Fire Department budget for 2018. Since 2008, Mayor Coleman has added 18 firefighters and increased the SPFD budget by 32 percent.
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