Howieson To Be Sworn In As DeKalb Fire Chief

DEKALB — Acting DeKalb Fire Chief Luke Howieson will be sworn in as the department’s next permanent chief at Monday’s City Council meeting at 6 p.m. at the DeKalb Public Library. Howieson has served as acting chief since the retirement of Mike Thomas in July and has guided preparation of the department’s 2026 budget, reviewed fireground tactics following equipment and staffing changes, and served on city and regional fire committees. Howieson began his fire service career in 1995, joined the DeKalb Fire Department in 2001, and has advanced through every rank in the department.