The City of Dallas has officially named Justin Ball as the next Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR), making him the 18th person to hold the position in the department’s long-standing history. Ball, who has been serving as interim chief since June 2024, was selected from a competitive pool of 32 candidates and is set to formally take over as chief on April 23, 2025. A native of northeast England, Chief Ball brings with him nearly three decades of experience within the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department. He began his career with DFR in 1997 as a firefighter paramedic and steadily climbed the ranks to his current leadership role. His promotion comes after a rigorous selection process, which included community engagement events and evaluation rounds, ultimately narrowing the candidates down to four finalists.

Ball’s appointment is being met with widespread support from city officials, many of whom have praised his innovative approach, leadership under pressure, and deep commitment to the safety of Dallas residents. “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.”

Proven Leadership and Vision for the Future

Ball’s leadership has been particularly visible during some of the city’s most challenging moments. According to Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, “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. I appreciate his contribution to keeping Dallas at the top of the leaderboard as one of the safest large cities in the country.”

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson echoed these sentiments, noting Ball’s crucial role in managing emergency response during major incidents in the city. “In my time as mayor, Chief Ball has also been integral to our city's life-safety responses to major incidents,” said Johnson. “I have seen him emerge as an adept leader from our shared time in our Emergency Operations Center during some very challenging times for Dallas. I am confident that Chief Ball is ready to lead this critical department and shares my commitment to the safety of Dallas residents.”

Once he assumes the official title on April 23, Chief Ball will be responsible for managing a $430 million annual budget and leading a workforce of approximately 2,200 firefighters and staff. This includes overseeing emergency response operations, fire prevention programs, community engagement initiatives, and internal safety protocols for one of the nation’s largest municipal fire departments. Ball’s tenure as interim chief has already seen several departmental improvements focused on member wellness, modernization, and training. With his permanent appointment, city leaders expect continuity in leadership and strategic growth to handle the evolving challenges in public safety. The announcement has been welcomed by the broader DFR community, which anticipates a seamless transition and continued excellence under Ball’s direction. As Dallas continues to grow, Chief Ball’s leadership will play a crucial role in ensuring the city remains prepared for emergencies and committed to the health and safety of all its residents. His rise from within the department is a testament to internal talent development and the dedication of those who serve in public safety.