City Of Clayton: City Of Clayton Announces New Fire Chief

Press release from the City of Clayton:

07/19/2021 12:00 PM

The City of Clayton is pleased to announce the appointment of Ernest (Ernie) Rhodes III as Chief of the Clayton Fire Department, effective August 23, 2021.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve as Fire Chief for the City of Clayton Fire Department,” said Chief Rhodes. “Having over 30 years of fire service experience in the St. Louis region, the Clayton Fire Department has a strong reputation as one of the best municipal departments in the region, and I look forward to working alongside the exceptional men and women of the department.”

Chief Rhodes joins the City of Clayton after serving as Fire Chief for the Janesville and Milton Fire District in Wisconsin. He has more than 18 years of experience as Fire Chief, including serving as Fire Chief for the West County EMS and Fire Protection District and as Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management for the City of St. Charles. Chief Rhodes brings an extensive background in Disaster and Emergency Management as well as FEMA Urban Search and Rescue and holds a BA from National Louis University.

“Chief Rhodes has an impressive record of accomplishments,” said City Manager David Gipson. “His experience will serve as a great asset in the services we provide to the Clayton community, and we look forward to him joining our team.”

With the assistance of a national public sector recruitment firm, Gov HR, the City initiated a national executive search earlier this year to identify the next Fire Chief. After receiving numerous nationwide applications, City Manager Gipson and members of the selection team spent significant time reviewing applications and performing interviews prior to selecting Chief Rhodes. As Fire Chief, he will lead a department of 42 uniformed employees and 1 civilian employee while ensuring a high level of public safety by providing effective and efficient response to all fire and EMS emergencies.

The City of Clayton is pleased to announce the appointment of Ernest (Ernie) Rhodes III as Chief of the Clayton Fire Department, effective August 23, 2021.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve as Fire Chief for the City of Clayton Fire Department,” said Chief Rhodes. “Having over 30 years of fire service experience in the St. Louis region, the Clayton Fire Department has a strong reputation as one of the best municipal departments in the region, and I look forward to working alongside the exceptional men and women of the department.”

Chief Rhodes joins the City of Clayton after serving as Fire Chief for the Janesville and Milton Fire District in Wisconsin. He has more than 18 years of experience as Fire Chief, including serving as Fire Chief for the West County EMS and Fire Protection District and as Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management for the City of St. Charles. Chief Rhodes brings an extensive background in Disaster and Emergency Management as well as FEMA Urban Search and Rescue and holds a BA from National Louis University.

“Chief Rhodes has an impressive record of accomplishments,” said City Manager David Gipson. “His experience will serve as a great asset in the services we provide to the Clayton community, and we look forward to him joining our team.”

With the assistance of a national public sector recruitment firm, Gov HR, the City initiated a national executive search earlier this year to identify the next Fire Chief. After receiving numerous nationwide applications, City Manager Gipson and members of the selection team spent significant time reviewing applications and performing interviews prior to selecting Chief Rhodes. As Fire Chief, he will lead a department of 42 uniformed employees and 1 civilian employee while ensuring a high level of public safety by providing effective and efficient response to all fire and EMS emergencies.

This press release was produced by the City of Clayton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.