NewsReleases | City Of Yuma, AZ

The City of Yuma has promoted Dustin “Dusty” Fields to Chief of the Yuma Fire Department, Acting City Administrator Jay Simonton has announced.

Fields brings 31 years’ experience in the fire service, 28 of those with YFD. He has been serving as YFD’s Assistant Fire Chief for the last seven and a half years.

A Yuma native and graduate of Kofa High School, Fields holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Fire Administration from Waldorf College, plus graduation from the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program in 2019.

Fields is also a second-generation YFD firefighter. His father, John R. Fields, retired as a Battalion Chief after 28 years of service in 1996.

“I first want to thank my wife, Cary, who has been my biggest cheerleader throughout my career. Without her and my family’s support, I wouldn’t be in the position to take on this new role,” Fields said. “I also want to thank the city’s leadership for their selection, and to say that I’m committed to carrying on the finest traditions of YFD’s exceptional service to the community. I have learned much from our previous leaders, and I’m thankful for the support provided to me to grow and learn. I will continue supporting our personnel in personal growth to make sure we continue to produce great leaders in the fire service who are serving the Yuma community.”

“I’ve been very impressed with Dusty’s ability to handle all the needs of the department over the past few months,” Simonton said. “I’m extremely confident with Dusty’s leadership, the Fire Department will maintain its status as one of the premier departments in the nation.”

Fields replaces Steve Irr, who retired earlier this year following nearly 36 years with the City. During the last eight years, the two worked closely on the issue of preventing or mitigating firefighter cancer.

“My father, who died of multiple myeloma, didn’t get the advanced screening that our firefighters are now getting from our work together,” Fields said. “This is one of the reasons why I go to work: So that I can make our department the best it can be, and to be able to give the best customer service to our beautiful community.”

Growth-related challenges face YFD and the City as a whole, and Fields said he’s looking forward to meeting those challenges through comprehensive planning, including a new strategic plan for the department.

“So far, we have met with community stakeholders and are doing some internal sessions to determine the priorities we need to tackle,” he said. “I am excited to do my part to move the organization forward.”

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