The City of Pocatello has a new fire chief. Shane Grow, a lifelong Pocatello resident with nearly 25 years inside the department he now leads, was officially appointed to the top position on August 8, 2026, and was sworn in during a recent City Council meeting.
Grow’s path to the chief’s office is deeply rooted in southeast Idaho. A Highland High School graduate, he later earned his bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University before spending time in Portland, Oregon, and eventually returning home to begin his career with the Pocatello Fire Department.
Decades of Hands-On Experience
Few chiefs will arrive with credentials as extensive as Grow’s. Over his nearly quarter-century with the department, he has served as a paramedic for 17 years, logged 23 years on the Hazardous Materials Team, and contributed 15 years to the Urban Search and Rescue Team. He also spent three years as a Battalion Chief before moving into the role of Assistant Chief of Operations, a position he held for four years prior to this appointment.
Mayor Mark Dahlquist expressed strong confidence in the selection, noting in remarks reported by East Idaho News that Grow “has a 24-year track record with the Pocatello Fire Department” and that “he is calm and decisive under pressure.” Those qualities, honed through years of hazmat response and search-and-rescue operations, will be central to leading a department responsible for emergency response across the city.
Grow acknowledged the significance of the moment in a statement reported by East Idaho News: “I’m honored by the opportunity to serve as Fire Chief in the community that has given so much to me.”
A Broad Mandate Ahead
As chief, Grow takes on oversight of day-to-day department operations, personnel management, emergency response coordination, fire prevention efforts, and community risk reduction programs. The role puts him at the helm of one of Pocatello’s most critical public safety agencies, responsible for protecting residents across a geographically varied service area that includes urban corridors, industrial zones, and surrounding communities.
Grow’s appointment comes as local government agencies across Bannock County continue to navigate growth, infrastructure decisions, and public safety demands. City officials have faced a range of complex planning and development decisions in recent months, from development disputes over procedural process to broader questions about how the city and county manage long-term land use.
What Comes Next
With his appointment effective August 8, Grow steps into the chief’s role immediately. His deep familiarity with department personnel, operations, and community expectations — built over nearly 25 years — positions him to lead without a lengthy transition period. City residents and department staff can expect continuity in emergency response operations while Grow sets priorities for fire prevention and community risk reduction in the months ahead. No timeline for formal departmental announcements or strategic plans has been publicly released.