St. Paul Fire Department Welcomes Interim Chief Greg Duren
Assistant St. Paul Fire Chief Greg Duren, one of the longest-serving paramedics in the department’s history, has been announced as the city’s interim fire chief by Mayor Melvin Carter. This move comes after Chief Butch Inks retired on Tuesday, marking the end of his 31-year tenure as a St. Paul firefighter. Duren is set to take over as interim chief on Wednesday, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the department.
Chief Inks and Duren have a long history together, having joined the St. Paul Fire Department in 1994. Over the years, Duren has served in every rank within the department, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to the role. Most recently, he was appointed deputy fire chief in spring 2024 and has been serving as assistant fire chief of Emergency Medical Services since August. This experience has equipped him with the skills and knowledge necessary to support the operations of the state’s busiest fire department-based EMS system.
Greg Duren (Courtesy of the St. Paul Fire Department)
A New Era for the St. Paul Fire Department
Chief Inks had been serving as fire chief since 2019 and was recently appointed to a second six-year term by Mayor Carter. However, his decision to retire was not influenced by the upcoming mayoral election, but rather by his desire to continue performing the physical duties of a firefighter after undergoing shoulder replacement surgery in November. Inks believes that the fire chief should be capable of carrying out all the duties of a firefighter, a sentiment that reflects his commitment to the role.
As Duren takes over as interim chief, he will play a crucial role in guiding the department during this transition period. Mayor-elect Kaohly Her, who is set to be inaugurated on Friday, will work to appoint a permanent fire chief. Duren has stated that he does not plan to apply for the permanent position, and Her has expressed her commitment to a fair and transparent process for determining the next fire chief.
Duren comes from a family with a strong tradition of service in the St. Paul Fire Department. His father worked for the department for 20 years, retiring as a fire captain in 2000, and his brother is a captain who has been serving for 14 years. This legacy of service and dedication to the department is a testament to Duren’s deep understanding of the role and his ability to lead with a people-first mindset.
According to Mayor Carter, “Interim Chief Duren leads with a people-first mindset, prioritizing both the residents of St. Paul and the members of this department. I am confident he will guide the fire department with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to keeping our community safe during this transition.” As the department moves forward under Duren’s leadership, it is clear that he will bring a unique blend of experience, expertise, and dedication to the role.
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