DEKALB – DeKalb Fire Chief Mike Thomas will be honored by the City Council on Monday as he retires after 30 years of service. Thomas joined the department in 1995 as a Firefighter/Paramedic and rose through the ranks to become Chief in 2022. During his leadership, he helped secure major federal grants, including $2.7 million to hire nine new firefighter/paramedics, allowing the department to raise its minimum staffing levels for the first time in decades. Additional funding supported the purchase of new engines, ambulances, and a $1.6 million truck. Thomas also led planning for a new fire station on the city’s southwest side, which opened this spring. Deputy Chief Luke Howieson will serve as Acting Chief following Thomas’ departure.
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