April 29, 2025

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Ian Stark, a battalion chief for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue.

Name: Ian Stark

Age: 43

Hometown: Inwood, Iowa

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

When my wife and I found out we were expecting our first child, we wanted to move back to the Sioux Falls area to be closer to family. My wife is from Parker, South Dakota, and my family all lived in the Sioux Falls area. Also, the job market allowed us to pursue careers in the area that we would want to make long term in our lives.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The great growing community and the excitement what that brings. There are a lot of things to do to keep a family of five busy and yet feels like the small town I grew up in.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I enjoy the different challenges that present themselves daily. Whether it is responding to emergency calls and trying to help those in need or day-to-day nonemergency challenges that arise throughout the workday.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I began my journey into the fire/EMS world by taking a leap of faith and enrolling in a fire academy in Kansas City. It was there that I discovered what this profession was truly about — and I couldn’t get enough of it. From there, I joined a volunteer department in the suburbs of KC, where I started learning the fundamentals and building a foundation. About a year later, I was hired by a full-time fire department just east of Des Moines. Over the next few years, I faced my share of challenges and speed bumps, but I kept pushing forward. Eventually, I achieved one of my biggest goals: joining SFFR.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Community, rewarding, cxcitement.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

When I first started considering joining the fire/EMS industry, I didn’t think it was for me as I thought being around blood and guts would be too much for me to handle.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I enjoy volunteering with different organizations in the community and getting my kids involved as well.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

I would like to see an indoor go-kart track.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

I would start some sort of entertainment business. A dueling piano bar or comedy club is where I would begin.