[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 209 (Thursday, December 11, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1185-E1186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING SAINT PAUL FIRE CHIEF BUTCH INKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2025

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
career of St. Paul Fire Department Chief Butch Inks on his retirement 
after than more than 40 years of steadfast service to the City of Saint 
Paul, including 31 years of dedication to public safety as a 
Firefighter and Chief of the Saint Paul Fire Department.
  Chief Butch Inks grew up in Saint Paul's North End, beginning his 
public service journey in 1985 when he was first hired by the City of 
Saint Paul through a youth employment program. In 1994, he joined the 
Saint Paul Fire Department, beginning what would become a decades-long 
commitment to protecting and serving his hometown. Alongside his 
municipal service, Chief Inks dedicated 26 years to the United States 
Air Force Reserve, deploying multiple times and retiring as a master 
sergeant in 2012. Chief Inks' history in military and municipal service 
shaped him into the steady, principled leader the department and 
community have relied upon.
  Since his appointment as Fire Chief in 2019, Chief Inks has overseen 
a period of progress and modernization for one of Minnesota's busiest 
urban fire and emergency service agencies. I was proud to partner with 
Chief Inks to secure over $1.6 million in federal funding towards the 
complete rebuilding of Saint Paul Fire Station 7 on the East Side, 
replacing a nearly century-old facility in the city's highest call-
volume area. Chief Inks also placed into service Minnesota's first all-
electric fire engine, Engine 7, leading us towards a cleaner and 
healthier future for our fire department and for our community.
  Chief Inks's leadership--along with all the distinguished individuals 
of the Saint Paul Fire Department--has made a notable impact on the 
City of Saint Paul. He increased EMS and fire staffing to the highest 
levels in department history through an innovative scheduling model 
that simultaneously reduced overtime costs. He implemented both Basic 
Life Support and Advanced Life Support emergency medical response 
models, shortening response times. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the 
civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd, he coordinated 
200 emergency responders, managing more than 50 incidents in a single 
12-hour period and preventing millions of dollars in property damage. 
He expanded firefighter health protections through comprehensive 
cardiac

[[Page E1186]]

screenings and enhanced physical exams. He also championed community-
first public safety strategies, workforce inclusion, and operational 
models that prioritize equity, readiness, and compassionate service for 
all Saint Paul residents.
  Although retiring from his role as Fire Chief, Butch Inks is not 
retiring from public service. He will continue to shape the future of 
Minnesota's fire service as the next executive director of the 
Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board. In this role, he will help 
ensure that future firefighters meet the highest standards of training 
and professionalism by overseeing the examinations and certification 
processes that prepare them for licensure and service.
  It has been my honor and a privilege to work with Chief Inks. His 
commitment to serve not only the citizens of Saint Paul, Minnesota but 
our entire Nation has left an indelible mark. As he retires from 
service to the City of Saint Paul, I wish him well, along with his wife 
Erica and their four children.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in this well-deserved tribute to St. Paul 
Fire Chief Butch Inks on his retirement after more than three decades 
of steadfast dedication to public safety.

                          ____________________