Packet: Tiffin City Council Work Session (05/05/2026)

City of Tiffin Fire Department | Interim Fire Chief Proposal | Tom Hartshorn Interim Fire Chief Strategic Plan – City of Tiffin, Iowa Executive Summary Tom Hartshorn is a proven command-level fire service leader currently serving as a Battalion Chief with the Iowa City Fire Department, with extensive experience in incident command, training development, and organizational leadership. This interim plan is designed to provide immediate stability, rebuild response reliability, strengthen leadership accountability, and position the Tiffin Fire Department for long-term success. The focus is not on large-scale change, but on restoring consistency, improving communication, and reinforcing a culture of participation and professionalism. Over a 3–6 month period, this plan prioritizes improving response rates, aligning officer expectations, enhancing training effectiveness, and creating a clear operational structure. The end state is a stable, accountable, and engaged department prepared for a successful transition to a permanent Fire Chief. Strategic Priorities • Stabilize leadership and rebuild trust • Improve response rates and accountability • Strengthen communication, internally and with city administration • Assess personnel and leadership structure • Create a unified vision, supporting a mission first culture • Support strategic planning and transition 30-60-90 Day Action Plan 0–30 Days: Stabilize & Assess • Establish leadership presence and clear expectations • Conduct listening sessions with all members and officers • Analyze response data, focusing on increasing response reliability • Review command structure and expectations for officers • Review policies and guidelines 30–60 Days: Build Structure & Improve Performance • Align officer roles and expectations • Implement consistent, hands-on training program • Reinforce response expectations