The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department announced Friday that Captain Jake Bieker has been selected as the city’s next fire chief, succeeding longtime Chief Tom Greif who is retiring after 28 years of service. Bieker, a 16-year veteran of the department who has served in roles ranging from firefighter-paramedic to training officer to fire captain, will assume command on April 15 following a transition period with the outgoing chief.
The selection followed a national search that attracted 34 applicants from across the western United States. A hiring panel that included city officials, department members, and community representatives narrowed the field to three finalists before unanimously recommending Bieker. City Administrator Troy Tymesen said Bieker’s deep knowledge of the Coeur d’Alene community, his operational experience, and his vision for modernizing the department made him the clear choice.
Who Jake Bieker Is and What He Brings
Bieker joined the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department in 2010 after serving four years as a firefighter-paramedic in Spokane. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science from Eastern Washington University and a master’s in public administration from Boise State University. His career in Coeur d’Alene has included assignments in every division of the department, including emergency medical services, fire prevention, training, and incident command.
As captain, Bieker led the department’s community risk reduction program, which has been credited with a 22% decrease in residential structure fires in Coeur d’Alene over the past five years. He also oversaw the department’s adoption of the PulsePoint mobile app, which alerts CPR-trained bystanders to nearby cardiac arrests and has been credited with saving at least three lives since its implementation.
“I grew up in North Idaho, I’ve raised my family here, and I’ve dedicated my career to protecting this community,” Bieker said at a press conference at Fire Station 1 on Fourth Street. “This department has an extraordinary tradition of service, and I’m honored to lead it into the future.”
Challenges Facing the Department
Bieker inherits a department navigating the challenges of rapid population growth, increasing call volume, and the need for infrastructure investment. Emergency call volume in Coeur d’Alene has increased 28% over the past five years, outpacing staffing growth of 12% during the same period. The department currently operates four stations with 68 personnel and responds to approximately 6,500 calls annually.
Bieker identified three immediate priorities: securing funding for a fifth fire station to serve the growing northwest quadrant of the city, expanding the department’s wildfire preparedness capabilities, and strengthening recruitment and retention in a competitive labor market where trained firefighter-paramedics are in high demand.
Outgoing Chief’s Legacy
Chief Greif, who has led the department since 2012, oversaw its growth from 52 to 68 personnel, the construction of Fire Station 4, and the department’s achievement of an ISO Class 2 fire protection rating — among the highest in Idaho. Mayor Jim Hammond praised Greif as “a model of steady, selfless leadership” who set the standard for public safety in Coeur d’Alene.
What Comes Next
Chief Bieker will officially assume command at a ceremony on April 15 at Fire Station 1. The public is invited to attend. Residents interested in the department’s community programs, including free home fire safety inspections and CPR training, can visit cdafd.org or call 208-769-2340.