Scott Cordes, Assistant City Administrator and Public Safety Director, has announced his resignation from the City of Norfolk as he has been appointed Nebraska State Fire Marshal by Governor Jim Pillen.
Cordes was named assistant city administrator and public safety director back in August 2021 after serving as the Norfolk Fire Division’s fire chief since 2011.
“Scott has served Norfolk in countless ways over his long career with the City, both in the Fire Division and Administration. He approaches his work with honor and compassion. He will be missed by me and all of Norfolk City staff,” said Andy Colvin, City Administrator. “We wish him and his family the best as he moves to a new chapter as Nebraska State Fire Marshal. Nebraskans can rest easy with Scott and his leadership at the helm.”
Cordes began his career with the City of Norfolk in 1996 as fire marshal. Soon after, he was promoted to assistant chief before ultimately being named chief.
Among his multiple contributions as fire chief, Cordes assisted in the launch of PulsePoint, a mobile app connected to the City of Norfolk’s emergency 911 dispatch center which alerts CPR-trained bystanders when a sudden cardiac arrest occurs near them to provide quicker life-saving efforts. In 2013, Cordes was honored with the Edward I. Vrzal Outstanding Citizen Award and also received a Lifesaver Award from the Norfolk Fire Division after performing lifesaving CPR while shopping in Omaha with his wife. In 2021, Cordes also was presented the Distinguished Alumni Award representing Southeast Community College from the Nebraska Community College Association.
“I am deeply honored with Governor Pillen’s decision to appoint me to the position of State Fire Marshal. My commitment is to do everything I can to lead the agency in a quality manner that it deserves. I am very much looking forward to working together with the Nebraska Fire Service as a whole to support their mission and service to the citizens of this great state,” said Cordes.
“Scott is an exemplary public servant. He devoted his career to making Norfolk a safe and welcoming place to live. He treated everyone with dignity and respect. While we hate to see him go, we are excited to see him step into this important state role,” said Mayor Josh Moenning.
“This decision does come with an element of sadness and loss, as the City of Norfolk has been good to me and to my family. I have been blessed to work with some amazing people over the past 26 years and have developed relationships that will last a lifetime. I wish the City of Norfolk and this wonderful community nothing but the very best going forward,” Cordes added.
Cordes’ last day with the City will be February 10th.