WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — City Manager Tom Hadden announced this month Craig Leu has accepted an offer to serve as the new fire chief for the city of West Des Moines. The position was previously held by Fire Chief Donald Cox, who retired in January after more than 14 years of service in West Des Moines.

Craig Leu has 24 years of experience in fire service, including 11 years in management with the Sedgwick County Fire District #1 in Park City. He previously served as Deputy Fire Marshal, and has also served as Deputy Chief of Operations, Captain, Lieutenant and Firefighter with Sedgwick County Fire District #1.

The Sedgwick County Fire District #1 has nine fire stations and approximately 140 full-time employees who serve a population of 70,000.

Leu has a Master of Science in Leadership with an Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Executive Fire Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, a Bachelor of General Studies from Fort Hays State University in Hays, and an Associate’s Degree from Butler Community College in El Dorado.

In addition to numerous firefighting certificates, he has completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.

Leu began his employment with the city of West Des Moines on July 27.

The West Des Moines Fire Department operates out of five stations and employs 48 full-time line personnel, six full-time command staff, three full-time support staff and 41 paid-on-call firefighters.