© 2024 Peoria Public Radio
A joint service of Bradley University and Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Peoria Fire Chief Jim Bachman retiring, in another round of turnover for fire department's top job

City of Peoria
/
Supplied photo

Peoria Fire Chief Jim Bachman will retire from the department in mid-March.

The Peoria Fire Department has seen frequent turnover in its leadership in recent years.

Bachman has served in the role for less than a year. He succeeded Tony Ardis, who was named to the position in November 2019 to replace Ed Olehy.

Olehy also retired after a little less than two years as chief. All three of those men with veterans of the fire department, with decades of service prior to becoming chief.

Olehy replaced Chuck Lauss, who also served two years as Peoria's fire chief after seven years as Pekin fire chief.

Kent Tomblin was the last Peoria fire chief to serve in the role for more than two years. He was chief from 2007 to 2016.

The city of Peoria is set to launch a nationwide search for Bachman's replacement.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.