Pending formal City Council approval… Kenny Baier will be the next Watseka Fire Chief. The Council’s Public Safety committee gave its approval (Tuesday) with an 8-0 vote. Baier would succeed Chief Tim Ketchum, who announced his pending retirement last month.

Ketchum will end a 24-year career with the fire service June 30. He’s been serving as chief since the retirement of Dave Mayotte. Ketchum is also an emergency responder/paramedic for Riverside Ambulance.

The 38-year-old Baier will bring several years of experience to the chief’s job. He’s also employed as a Lt. with the City of Kankakee Fire Department, where he’s been employed for 11 years. Baier is a 12-year veteran member of the MABAS 7 Haz-Mat team.

94.1 WGFA