City Manager hires Hannum to replace Herren at FMFD

HERREN LEGACY

His leadership, knowledge of fire and emergency services, and his service will not go unnoticed for the future of Fort Madison.”

Laura Liegois, FM City Manager

FORT MADISON – The Fort Madison City Council will consider appointing Lt. Chad Hannum to replace Joey Herren as the city’s fire chief at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
Herren has announced his retirement for April 30, 2025. Herren has served the city fire department since 1997.
Fort Madison City Manager Laura Liegois has authority under city code to hire the fire chief and announced announced the hiring in a report to the council.
“It’s my pleasure to announce that I have hired Lieutenant Hannum as the next fire chief for the Fort Madison Fire department,” she said.
Hannum has served the Fire Department since March 2014, and Liegois said he is continuing studies in fire administration and fire investigations from Columbia Southern University to acquire his bachelor’s degree in 2025.
“Lieutenant Hannum will serve the Fort Madison community with his knowledge, leadership, and dedication to protecting lives,” she said.
She said the position was open for internal candidates and Hannum was the only one to apply for the position. He has been working closely with Herren to move into the position for the past several years, she wrote.
“During the past six months, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Lt. Hannum in the development of the new fire station and other areas of the fire department,” she wrote.
“I know that he will excel as the next Fort Madison Fire Chief."
During Herren’s term, Liegois credited him with moving the fire department to a next level of service for the community with not only fire services, but emergency management, medical assistant services, search and rescue, and numerous other service of the fire department.
“His leadership, knowledge of fire and emergency services, and his service will not go unnoticed for the future of Fort Madison,” Liegois wrote.
In other action, the council will review five-year city and department goals to include such projects as a new public works facility in the 2025-26 fiscal year and a new fire station in the 2027-28 fiscal year.
The city is also looking to complete EPA mandated Sewer Separation Projects at 10th Street, 9th Street, 8th Street, and 7th Street from 2026 to 2029. However, those project deadlines could be moved pending EPA requests.
 Other projects include constructing a new salt storage facility, two bridge replacements at 3rd Street, and Richards Drive in 2026-27, as well as the Avenue L bridge replacement in the 2600 block in 2027-28, and a five-year review and implementation of a sidewalk program; a new water well design and installation prior to the end of 2027; a plan for downtown revitalization to include landscaping, sidewalks, lighting, and alleys by the end of 2025; and other various city improvements and projects.