Iowa City Fire Chief Andy Rocca Retiring in May

Media Release

Iowa City Fire Chief Andy Rocca, an Iowa City native who has served with the City's Fire Department for nearly 35 years, has announced he will retire on May 13. In a letter of resignation to City Manager Tom Markus, Rocca thanked the City for its ongoing support, commitment to the community's fire protection services, and the "experience of a lifetime." 

Rocca joined the Iowa City Fire Department in 1978 when he was hired to serve as a Firefighter. In 1987, he was promoted to the position of Fire Lieutenant, followed by a series of promotions and appointments: Fire Captain in 1989, Battalion Chief in 1990, and Fire Marshal in 1991. In 1996, he was named to the department's top position as Fire Chief, in charge of all Fire Department operations. Rocca currently oversees a 65-member department, as well as emergency operations that include fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response and technical rescue, and department facilities, including four fire stations and a training center.

During Rocca's tenure, the Iowa City Fire Department has earned numerous awards and accolades for excellence. In 2008, it was unanimously awarded Accredited Agency Status -- one of only 128 agencies worldwide -- by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Last year, the department was once again commended when the Insurance Services Office (ISO), which conducts insurance risk analyses for businesses, corporations, and municipalities, upgraded the City's Public Protection Classification to a Level 2 after a review of the department's operations, response times, and ability to minimize property losses from structural fires. Nationwide, only 716 fire protection areas, or less than 1.5% of the 48,000 that are reviewed, have achieved Level 1 or 2 status, the highest rankings available. 

"The City has been extremely fortunate to have benefited from someone of Chief Rocca's caliber for nearly 35 years," said City Manager Markus. "He is a consummate professional and his impact on the Iowa City Fire Department and this community will be forever lasting. We will greatly miss his leadership, but we congratulate him and wish him and his family the best in the many years ahead."