Captain Collins ready to lead Sioux City Fire Department as next fire chief

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – He’s spent his career serving Sioux City and its residents and now he’s preparing for the top job at Sioux City Fire Rescue.

Growing up in Sioux City, Ryan Collins never intended to become a firefighter. In fact, when he applied to join the Sioux City Fire Department, he almost didn’t make the cut.

“When this job opportunity came up here in Sioux City, I jumped at it,” he said as we spoke outside Fire Station 1. “Granted, it was the very last day, but that’s when I jumped at it.”

His application came just in time. “I was lucky enough to be hired here in August 2006 and have loved my job ever since.”

A graduate of Bishop Heelan, the Sioux City native went to South Dakota State and earned a business degree, then ended up in Pierre, South Dakota, where he worked for the state of South Dakota. When he wasn’t working for the state, he was at the fire station. “I joined the Pierre Volunteer Fire Department and really fell in love with the camaraderie and the work.”

Since joining the Sioux City Fire Department in 2006, Collins has worked in his hometown, giving him a new perspective on the streets he grew up on. “Riding backwards on those truck engines, you get a completely different perspective of the city you grew up in,” he said. “I encourage people to slow down and look at the facades of buildings and the beautiful architecture of Sioux City. It’s a perspective I’ve never had before and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

A perspective he adopted early in his career. Early in his career, Collins was part of the crew that fought one of the city’s most memorable fires, at the KD Fire Station on December 27, 2006.

“It was a very unique building because of the way it was built, the amount of materials that were used in the building itself and the fact that it was vacant with this bowling alley on the third floor,” he recalls. “And we stayed there for 24 hours until we were relieved and it was a unique experience. It’s an experience that hasn’t been matched since.”

After spending his career with the Sioux City Fire Department, Collins worked his way up the ranks, allowing the city to decide where it needed him most.

“I’ve always believed that I’m always going to do what’s best for our department,” Collins said. “I’ve always allowed the department to put me in the position that’s best for them and the city.”

In 2015, he applied for a lieutenant position. “And six months later, I was transferred to the then Fire Prevention Bureau because they needed someone there and my skills were a perfect fit for that position.”

In 2018, he was promoted to captain, leading community risk reduction, fire investigation and code enforcement. Then, longtime Fire Chief Tom Everett announced his retirement.

“When Chief Everett announced his retirement, I had a number of people ask me if I would run, and some people really encouraged me to run,” Collins said. “And so, just like my previous mindset, I will. And if it’s meant to be, it will be, and that’s where the department needs me.”

On July 9, 2024, the city announced Collins as its new fire chief.

“It’s very emotional to know that so many people support me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of everyone who pushed me forward and helped me along the way,” he said. “That’s what the fire service is all about and that social aspect, that camaraderie. We support each other, whether it’s on the job or off the job. If someone needs help off the job, if they’re injured or sick, they’re knocking on their door the next day and asking what they can do to help. That’s what the fire service is all about. And that’s what I love about it.”

As he prepares to move into headquarters, he’s excited to lead one of the best firefighting teams in the state. Collins says he’s eager to get to work and see how the department can best move forward in this new chapter.

“Chief Everett has laid a good foundation,” Collins said. “The challenge for me is managing the workload that our staff faces every day. Our call volume has more than doubled in the last 20 years and we have the same number of staff. Our training hours continue, mandates increase and so we are going to run out of time eventually. Managing that workload to make sure our staff are able to get the rest they need and do all the tasks that are expected of them every day is going to be the challenge and making sure that the mental health of the staff, that they don’t burn out. So we have to take care of each other.”

The symphony conductor, as Collins describes his job, will look to the experts at Sioux City Fire Rescue, learning from every call, every report, every critique to ensure the team and the city are provided with the best possible fire service every day.

“It doesn’t matter who’s sitting at that desk. The staff are the backbone of this department. They’re the ones who get the work done. That’s not going to change,” he said. “We have very committed professional members in this department who will continue to do that work no matter who’s sitting at that desk outside of the corporate office.”

Taking over for outgoing Fire Chief Tom Everett is a big role to fill, but Capt. Collins says he’s ready to take it on with the Sioux City Fire Rescue Team by his side.

“I’ve never been one to want to be in the spotlight,” he told me. “I prefer to work behind the scenes. And so my biggest challenge will be to be the face of the department. But it’s a challenge I’ll fully embrace and enjoy.”

Captain Collins currently serves as Deputy Fire Chief. He will officially begin his duties on August 12, with Chief Everett remaining in an advisory role until his retirement in September.