Dallas Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert today announced the City of Dallas’ first Chief of Public Safety position, and the appointment of Dallas Fire-Rescue Dominique Artis as its Interim. Assistant Chief Justin Ball has been appointed to serve as Interim Fire Chief.
“Transitioning from a Deputy City Manager to a Chief of Public Safety on my executive leadership team is in alignment with our new foundational structure and continuing efforts to becoming the safest large city in the country,” said Tolbert, adding, “It will also serve to create continuity and a path for succession planning.”
The Safe Portfolio currently includes Dallas Fire-Rescue, Dallas Police, Court & Detention Services, Office of Emergency Management, the Marshal’s Office, and the Office of Integrated Public Safety Solutions.
“It is a privilege to serve the City of Dallas and its residents. I look forward to working with my colleagues in a new capacity, building on our successes to continue to innovate and enhance our public safety operations,” said Chief Artis. Chief
A dedicated public servant and native of Dallas, Chief Dominique Artis’ commitment to Dallas residents is evident in the Dallas Fire-Rescue team he has nurtured over the last six years. He has been instrumental in fostering a department known for its preparedness and responsiveness, while also cultivating its future leaders.
He assumed the role of Fire Chief 2018. With over 29 years of public safety experience, he has excelled in various pivotal positions within the department. Before his appointment as Chief, he was the Assistant Chief of the Administration Bureau, overseeing Training, Maintenance, Clothing and Supply, Recruiting, Chaplain Services, and the department’s Environmental Management System. Additionally, Chief Artis has held the positions of Deputy Chief of Special Operations and Training, as well as Captain in both Emergency Operations and the Emergency Medical Service Bureau. He is a certified Master Firefighter, Master ARFF, Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor I, Incident Commander, Incident Safety Officer, and Head of Department Suppression.
Chief Artis graduated from Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School, has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Technology from Prairie View A&M University, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas. Since assuming his role as an executive with Dallas Fire-Rescue, Chief Artis has also completed programs at the National Fire Academy and the Executive Fire Officer Program.
Chief Justin Ball Background:
Chief Justin Ball began his career in 1997, the same year he joined Dallas-Fire Rescue. Over the more than twenty-six years he has been with the department, he has served with increasing responsibility. First serving as a fire fighter paramedic, Chief Ball has since achieved every possible rank. As the Executive Assistant Chief of Operations, he leads the Department’s most challenging divisions, including Fire response, EMS, Special Operations, Communications and Safety. Chief Ball implemented the City’s Stop the Bleed Program, the Single Function Paramedic Program, and the Squad Relief Program.
He has held the positions of Chief of Staff, Operations Assistant Chief, Executive Deputy Chief, Field Deputy Chief and Battalion Chief. Chief Ball has a Bachelor’s in Fire Administration from Texas A&M and is a certified Master Firefighter, ARFF, Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor II, Incident Commander, and Incident Safety Officer. A native of England, he has made Dallas his home for more than thirty years and considers DFR to be a part of his family.
