Adam Vander Leest has been with the City of Ankeny since 2009. He started as a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2017. In 2018 with the creation of shift commanders he was promoted to the rank of Captain to fill one of the new positions. Prior to Ankeny, he had worked for the Polk City Fire Department and held the rank of Assistant Chief. In January 2022, Adam was promoted to the rank of Division Chief Community Risk Reduction / Fire Marshal.
Chief Vander Leest has an associate of arts degree in aviation management from Iowa Central Community College and is a commercially rated pilot. Chief Vander Leest also holds a bachelor of science degree in Fire Science Administration from Waldorf University. Chief Vander Leest is a nationally registered paramedic, arson investigator, and Inspector I and II and has numerous certifications in firefighting. Chief Vander Leest will supervise all fire investigations within the city to determine the cause and origin. As the Fire Marshal, he will supervise public education, community safety awareness programs, fire education for elementary-age children as well as safety programs for young adults and seniors. Chief Vander Leest supervises inspectors and fire and life safety inspections throughout the city for all licensed and unlicensed facilities. As Fire Marshal, he functions under the supervision of the Fire Chief as the Fire Code Official for the City of Ankeny.