St. Charles Fire Chief Announces Retirement

ST. CHARLES, IL — St. Charles Fire Chief Joseph Schelstreet has announced his retirement from the St. Charles Fire Department. The final day for Schelstreet, who has been the fire chief since for the past six years and was first hired as a firefighter in St. Charles in 1988, will be Oct. 4. Assistant Fire Chief Scott Swanson has been named Acting Fire Chief of the department.

Schelstreet was first promoted from his full-time firefighter position to lieutenant in 1992 and then to captain in 1997. He became an assistant chief in 2003 and then served as an acting fire chief starting in 2012 before stepping into the chief role permanently in 2013, according to city officials.

“Joe is a hometown guy who has served his community well for many years,” Mayor Raymond Rogina said. “He has worked hard to make sure our citizens receive the finest fire safety and emergency medical services. I am grateful for this commitment and dedication to the St. Charles community and I appreciate the professionalism he exhibited during his tenure.”

Under Schelstreet’s leadership, the St. Charles Fire Department has earned national and international accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. The city of St. Charles also was awarded an elite Class 1 Fire Protection rating from the Insurance Services Office, and was named a StormReady community by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration & National Weather Service.

The city’s Emergency Management Agency also was accredited through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. In addition, Schelstreet increase collaboration with neighboring fire departments and emergency services agencies through the nationally accredited Tri-City Ambulance service.

And Schelstreet himself earned individual designation as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Commission on Professional Credentialing, according to a news release.

Assistant Fire Chief Scott Swanson has been named Acting Fire Chief of the department. Swanson joined the St. Charles Fire Department full-time in 1988. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1992, Captain in 2003, Battalion Chief in 2009 and Assistant Fire Chief in 2013. Swanson also previously served as Acting Fire Chief in 2007, during the transition between previous fire chiefs.

Swanson holds a Bachelor Degree in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University in Carbondal and a Master Degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University in Lisle.