DALLAS - — The Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert announced Justin Ball will be the next Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR). Ball was serving as the interim chief before the city made the job permanent, after Dominique Artis was named the City’s first chief of public safety.

“Chief Ball has a demonstrated track record of strong leadership. He has brought fresh ideas to solve problems and seized on innovative opportunities to take this internationally recognized department to the next level,” said Bizor Tolbert. “I appreciate his contribution to keeping Dallas at the top of the leaderboard as one of the safest large cities in the country, and his dedication to the DFR team.”

Ball’s responsibilities as fire chief include managing a $430 million budget and leading a team of roughly 2200 fire and emergency medical services personnel.

Since joining DFR in 1997, he has worked his way up the ladder—from firefighter paramedic to field deputy chief, executive deputy chief, assistant chief and ultimately executive assistant chief of operations.

“It’s an incredible honor to have been selected as the permanent Chief to lead the brave men and women with whom I have the pleasure of working with each day,” said Ball. “I look forward to building on our positive momentum, focusing on the safety and wellness of our members, and continuing to deliver the best service to this community.” 

Ball has a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Texas A&M and has certifications as a master firefighter, aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF), fire officer II, fire instructor II, incident commander and incident safety officer.

Originally from northeast England, he has called the Dallas area home for more than 30 years.

The city said 32 candidates applied for the position. The list was narrowed to four semifinalists, including current and former fire chiefs and executives, all of whom took part in a series of meet and greets and feedback panels.