The Marion Fire Department is continuously working to achieve the highest level of professionalism and efficiency with the delivery of our programs and services to the community. In 2023, our community-driven strategic planning process incorporated important community feedback by looking at the current expectations and concerns of the community. 

The feedback allowed us to understand a broad-based community perspective on how we are doing, how we may serve you better and help shape the future of emergency services in Marion. 

2023-2028 MFD Community-Driven Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan Highlights 

New Mission:

The Marion Fire Department takes pride and ownership in serving OUR community by protecting life and property through rapid response, community risk reduction and emergency preparedness.

New Values:

The Marion Fire Department values service, for the betterment of our community, through:

• Professionalism
• Respect
• Integrity
• Dedication
• Excellence

New Vision:

The vision for the Marion Fire Department by 2028 is to be a leader in emergency services, recognized through the achievement of accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Our department will be an attractive organization, providing quality services with an affectively staffed and highly trained team. We will leverage technology and community partnerships to maximize our commitment to community risk reduction and emergency preparedness. An enhanced focus on health and safety programs will improve the quality of life for our community and workforce. Through these efforts, we will deliver on the community promise to be THE best City in Iowa to raise a family and grow a business.

New Strategic Goals:

1. Enhance external relationships through education, joint training, improved communication, the development of agreements and partnerships and engagement to increase community safety and unified operations.
2. Identify and formalize the scope and level of services provided by the department to meet community expectations and support organizational planning.
3. Develop a staffing model that recruits and retains appropriate personnel and creates a pathway for professional member growth that aligns with the community and department needs.
4. Develop a community risk reduction program that identifies and creates partnerships, analyzes data, educates the public and enforces the fire code to improve overall community safety.
5. Enhance firefighter health and wellness by continuing and implementing new well ness initiatives resulting in a physically and mentally prepared workforce.
6. Prepare for, pursue, achieve, and maintain international accreditation to better serve our community and embrace excellence through continuous improvement management.