St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has appointed a new interim fire chief. Butch Inks, a retired Air Force veteran with 20 years of experience in the St. Paul Fire Department, will assume the department’s top role on Saturday. Inks replaces Matthew Simpson, who became acting chief when Tim Butler resigned in October.
The St. Paul City Council has established a 20-member Fire Chief Qualifications and Examining Committee to select a permanent replacement for Butler.
Inks grew up in the Rice Street and Como area and has served as a city employee since 1985.
He began his career in St. Paul Parks and Recreation and became a firefighter in 1994. He has held a variety of positions within the department, including fire equipment operator, rescue squad captain, district chief, special operations chief, community relations chief, deputy chief and assistant chief.