INDIANAPOLIS — Mayor Greg Ballard and Public Safety Director Troy Riggs recently named 28-year fire veteran, Ernest Malone, as the 42nd Chief of the Indianapolis Fire Department. Chief Malone will succeed Chief Brian Sanford, who announced in April he planned to retire from IFD, on August 11.
Malone started his career at IFD in 1986 as a firefighter. During his service he has held every merit rank in the department including Battalion Chief.
Since 2010, Malone has served as IFD’s Assistant Chief of Fire, assisting Chief Sanford with the overall direction of IFD and in the development of IFD policy relating to suppression operations, health and safety, training, special operations and emergency medical services.
Malone holds an associate’s degree in fire science, a bachelor’s degree in business management, and a master’s degree in management. Malone is a graduate of the National Fire Academy and is currently completing his final research papers for certification as an Executive Fire Officer through the United States Fire Administration. Earlier this year, Malone achieved the highly-regarded and prestigious designation of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, becoming the first Indianapolis firefighter ever to hold that distinction.
