St. Paul Mayor Nominates New Fire Chief
The city has selected assistant fire chief Jeramiah Melquist to lead the St. Paul Fire Department.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People
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St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has nominated assistant fire chief Jeramiah Melquist to serve as the citys next fire chief. The appointment now moves to the St. Paul City Council for final confirmation.
Why it matters
The position became vacant following the retirement of Butch Inks, who led the department for years and served the city for decades. A committee process was utilized to ensure the department maintains its high standard of public safety.
The department currently maintains an Insurance Services Office Class 1 rating, which is a top-tier industry metric for fire protection. A 14-member selection committee was appointed by the City Council in August 2026 to facilitate the search.
The players
Jeramiah Melquist
He is the current assistant fire chief who has been nominated to lead the St. Paul Fire Department.
Greg Duren
He has served as the interim fire chief for the City of St. Paul since late 2025.
Butch Inks
He is the retired fire chief who served in the St. Paul Fire Department starting in 1994 and led the agency from 2019 until 2025.
The details
Jeramiah Melquist will succeed interim fire chief Greg Duren, who has held the role since the end of 2025. The nomination follows a months-long search process initiated by the city to identify a permanent successor to Butch Inks.
Timeline
1994: Butch Inks began his career as a St. Paul firefighter.
2019: Butch Inks assumed the role of St. Paul fire chief.
December 31, 2025: Greg Duren took over as interim fire chief.
August 2026: The city established a 14-member fire chief selection committee.
October 30, 2026: The mayor officially nominated Jeramiah Melquist for the role.
Market Landscape
The nomination reflects a structured municipal effort to maintain the St. Paul Fire Department's prestigious Insurance Services Office Class 1 rating. This transition follows a standard succession planning cycle common among high-performing metropolitan public safety agencies.
The confirmation of the fire chief is a procedural step that ensures continued leadership and operational consistency for the citys emergency services. Residents will not experience changes to fire protection coverage as a result of this administrative nomination.
The takeaway
Selecting a fire chief involves a rigorous committee process to maintain the safety standards expected by the public. Residents should look for official announcements from the City Council regarding the final confirmation vote.
Further reading
For more information on local government updates, see People.
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