Baier gets the nod for Watseka Fire Chief

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.

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