Fire Chief News

Veteran firefighter Justin Ball promoted to Dallas Fire-Rescue chief

Dallas Fire Chief Justin Ball is kind of dreamy.

DFR

The city of Dallas has a new fire chief: Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has appointed Interim Chief Justin Ball to serve as the next Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR), effective April 23.

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

"Chief Ball has a demonstrated track record of strong leadership," Tolbert said in a statement. "He has brought fresh ideas to solve problems and seized on innovative opportunities to take this internationally recognized department to the next level."

Ball will serve as Dallas' 18th Fire Chief, overseeing a $430 million budget and leading roughly 2200 men and women who work in the department responding to fire and emergency medical services.

Ball joined DFR in 1997 and has advanced through every rank—from firefighter paramedic to Field Deputy Chief, Executive Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and ultimately Executive Assistant Chief of Operations. (You know all of these positions if you've ever watched Chicago Fire, the mesmerizing TV series, which BTW was created by two graduates of Baylor University in Waco.)

Chief Ball has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Texas A&M and maintains 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 and considers DFR his extended family.

In June, he assumed the role of Interim Fire Chief after Chief Dominique Artis was named the City’s first Chief of Public Safety.

“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,” Ball said in a statement. “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.”

politics

DPD News

Dallas hires DEA agent Daniel Comeaux as new Chief of Police

City of Dallas

DPD Chief Daniel Comeaux

Dallas has a new police chief: Daniel Comeaux, who has been appointed as the next Chief of Police of the Dallas Police Department, effective Wednesday, April 23.

Comeaux is a 33-year law enforcement veteran, currently serving as Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Houston Field Division, overseeing 12 offices throughout Texas, including Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.

He was one of five finalists, following a nationwide search to replace former Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia who left in September for a role as assistant city manager in Austin under Dallas' former city manager, T.C. Broadnax.

Interim Dallas Police Chief Michael T. Igo was appointed to the position in October following Garcia’s retirement, and was also a finalist for the position.

In a statement, Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert — who herself was promoted from within — gave thanks to Igo "for his longstanding service to the Dallas Police Department, and his willingness to lead during this time of transition."

Comeaux's appointment comes one day after the appointment of Justin Ball as new Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR), also effective April 23. Ball was also promoted from within.

Comeaux is a native of New Orleans who began his career in 1991 with the Houston Police Department, specializing in community policing, narcotics enforcement, and high-risk investigations. In 1997, he transitioned to the DEA, where he led major operations in Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, targeting violent crime and drug trafficking. The release says that his strategies resulted in significant crime reduction, including a 40 perecent decrease in overdose deaths in Laredo, Texas; and that his leadership has focused on intelligence-driven crime reduction, operational efficiency, interagency collaboration, and officer development.

“I joined the police force because I witnessed what can happen to neighborhoods that aren’t safe," Comeaux said in a statement. "At the federal level, I am known as the local cop because of my collaborative approach to tackling crime and my dedication to developing leaders in public safety who are bridge builders for the community. I am proud that my career in law enforcement has come full circle and look forward to serving alongside the men and women of the Dallas Police Department."