Chief Graff's Message and Bio

"It is an honor to serve the members of the Rock Island Fire Department as well as the citizens of Rock Island and our guests.  In my career, I have been blessed to work with some of the most dedicated and professional men and women in the emergency response community.  The Rock Island Fire Department is steeped in a tradition of excellence.  I look forward to carrying on that tradition as well as bringing about new strategies to continue adapting to an ever changing world." 

Bob Graff

Fire Chief

Fire Chief Robert "Bob" Graff was hired by the Rock Island Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic in 1997.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2005, to Captain of Special Operations in 2007 and to Battalion Chief of the Second Battalion in 2010. He was appointed Assistant Fire Chief in 2016 and served as second-in-command of the fire department until his appointment to Fire Chief on January 23, 2023.  Fire Chief Graff holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Western Illinois University.  He has held many leadership positions on various specialty teams in his time with the Rock Island Fire Department.