The City of Plymouth has officially announced the promotion of Andy Etzel to the position of Plymouth fire chief, an appointment effectuated this upcoming Saturday, Jan. 17. Etzel, a seasoned member of the Plymouth Fire Department with two decades of service, ascended through the ranks, most recently serving as the assistant fire chief since December 2024 and interim fire chief since November of the past year, as reported by the City of Plymouth.
Ready to manage the department's operations and staff, Etzel inherits a mixed force of full-time career and part-time/on-call firefighters, inclusive of leadership personnel and fire inspectors. The fire department he will oversee is tasked with responding to a variety of emergencies, ranging from fires and medical calls to traffic crashes. "My priority will be continuing to create a culture of excellence where professionalism, pride, teamwork and positive attitudes are expected, modeled and reinforced at every level," Etzel elucidated in a statement made by the City's news release.
Etzel, a Plymouth native and Wayzata High School alum, launched his career in the local fire department in 2006 as a paid-on-call firefighter. His trajectory saw him promoted to various roles within the department, from lieutenant in 2010 to captain in 2013, then battalion chief in 2016, and onto assistant chief in 2024.
Plymouth City Manager Dave Callister and Public Safety Director/Police Chief Erik Fadden have expressed their confidence in Etzel's leadership qualities. "Andy has a stellar track record of building strong relationships and trust, both within the fire department and the community," Callister said. "Andy is humble and kind. He’s a great leader who will do an excellent job at the helm of the Plymouth Fire Department," he emphasized, as stated by the City of Plymouth.
